Shrewsbury Athletic Club runners have commenced their campaign in the North Wales Cross Country League in the opening two fixtures at Wrexham and Colwyn Bay. Aiming to achieve a fourth consecutive League title in Division One, the Club slipped to 3^rd place at Wrexham, but recovered with a strong turnout to 1^st place on the day at Colwyn Bay and 1^st overall after the two fixtures. The Masters' Team, 2^nd at Wrexham, finished 1^st at Colwyn Bay to lead the Masters' Series.

At Wrexham the side were led home by Jim Hickinbottom in 7^th place with Steve Waters 21^st, Stewart Farley 36^th, Graham Jones 41^st, Kevin Francis 47^th and Haydn Jones 88^th completing the team scorers. There were age category successes for Jim Hickinbottom 1^st Veteran Over 35, Graham Jones 1^st Veteran Over 60, Haydn Jones 2^nd Veteran Over 55, Steve Waters 3^rd Veteran Over 35 and Kevin Francis 3^rd Veteran Over 50.The Over 65 Race was won by Pete Savill with Duncan Rose 15^th.

At Colwyn Bay, on a brutal course in muddy conditions, the side were led home by Dan Elliot in 10^th place with Gabe Morris 15^th, Carl Aveyard 23^rd, Luke Butler 24^th, Steve Waters 27^th and Graham Jones 43^rd completing the team scorers. Antonio Gasparinho was just outside the team scorers in 44^th place in his debut cross country race for the Club. There were age category successes for Gabe Morris 1^st Veteran Over 35, Graham Jones 1^st Veteran Over 60 and Andy Lewis 3^rd Veteran Over 60.

Wrexham Results:

7 Jim Hickinbottom 30/56(1V35), 21 Steve Waters 32/24(3V35), 36 Stewart Farley 33/52, 41 Graham Jones 34/17(1V60), 47 Kevin Francis 34/38(3V50), 88 Haydn Jones 37/18(2V55), 96 Pete Hughes 37/35. Over 65: 1 Pete Savill 24/35, 15 Duncan Rose 30/45.

Colwyn Bay Results:

10 Dan Elliot 38/14, 15 Gabe Morris 39/30(1V35), 23 Carl Aveyard 40/19, 24 Luke Butler 40/36, 27 Steve Waters 40/56, 43 Graham Jones 42/40(1V60), 44 Antonio Gasparinho 42/41, 88 Adam Burgoyne 46/37, 91 Matt Wooden 47/02, 103 Haydn Jones 47/37, 140 Andy Lewis 52/16(3V60).

Colwyn Bay Photo:

Back L to R: Matt Wooden, Carl Aveyard, Andy Lewis, Steve Waters, Luke Butler, Graham Jones, Adam Burgoyne, Gabe Morris.

Front L to R: Dan Elliot, Haydn Jones, Antonio Gasparinho.

On the road running scene, Paul Jones produced two Veteran Over 45 category victories in the Oswestry 10K, where he finished 5^th in 34/08 and the Flintshire 10K, where he finished 7^th in 33/23. At Oswestry he was followed by Jake Milovsorov 8^th in 36/18, Calvin Hignett 9^th in a personal best time of 36/25, Lauren Morley 30^th and 3^rd Lady in 41/36, Haydn Jones 33^rd and 2^nd Veteran Over 55 in 42/15, Matt Wooden 63^rd in 44/47 and Colin Perry 310^th in 54/52. At the Flintshire 10K, he was followed by Richard Mckenna 12^th in 34/56 and Jake Milovsorov 13^th in 35/41 and in the Womens' Race Lauren Morley finished 4^th and 3^rd Senior Woman in 41/00 and Jemma Brown 6^th and 3^rd Lady Veteran Over 35 in 42/14. In the Farndon 10K, Richard Mckenna was 5^th and 1^st Veteran Over 40 in 34/38, Stewart Farley 9^th in a personal best time of 37/05 and Grant Lloyd 21^st in 39/15.

Report compiled by Tony Scales