ATHLETICS: WEST Cheshire AC finished just one point away from the men's team prize at the Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race.

Ken Begley, Graham McNeill, Dave Alexander, and Paul Frodsham, secured joint second spot with Liverpool Harriers on 73 points - one point adrift of eventual winners Wilmslow.

Ken completed the circuit neighbouring Upton County Officers, Chester, in a time of 27:04 11th position; Graham finished 12th in 27:15; Dave was 20th in 27:36; and Paul 31st in 28:21.

Ellesmere Port RC's Nicky Bird, was runner-up in the senior women's race in 29:54.

WCAC's Laura Bestow finished first in the under-20 junior age group category with a time of 34 minutes 12 seconds.

Other WCAC finishers included Andrew Clague, 58th in 29:49, and Clive Donovan, 92nd in 31:11.

Many WCAC members will be representing Cheshire at this weekend's National Sportshall Finals being staged at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena on Sunday.

The club's juniors have been the most successful youngsters competing this winter.

Under the guidance of Tim Durrant, they have qualified to compete in all six age group league finals for the first time.

Danielle Bentley launched the javelin to the best distance, and scored an equal top mark in the speed bounce event.

Aiden Stoakley partnered Chris Boswell to success in the U11 boys' 2x1 lap event.

Tom Price scored a hat-trick of individual gold medal successes, alongside Sam Bateson who claimed two gold medals and one silver medal.

Carl Van Schie attained gold, silver and bronze awards, and James Callaghan hit 12.09m for a deserved gold medal in the shot competition.

Other medallists at the North West Finals included Stephanie Owens (gold in U13 girls' shot);

Rebecca Grimes (silver in four-lap); Kerry Riley (silver in speed bounce); Daisy Flynn-Piercy two bronze (two lap and vertical jump); Huw Williams (gold in speed bounce); Jeremy Wilder-spin (gold in standing long jump/bronze in standing triple jump); Andrew Whitton (gold in standing triple jump/bronze in four lap); Gareth Preston (silver in two lap, standing long jump/ bronze in shot); Jeremy Stothart (silver medal in speed bounce); Rachel Stoakley (gold in two lap); Helen Clowes (gold in standing triple jump); Lauren Hunt (silver in shot); Charlotte Roach (silver in six lap) and Hayley Daltrey (bronze in six lap).