Athletics: West Cheshire Schools Cross Country

TOBY Palin demonstrated his pace and stamina at the opening round of the West Cheshire AC Schools Cross Country series.

The Christleton High youngster posted 10 minutes 48 seconds for victory in the 2.75km Year 7 boys race, held at Cheshire Oaks High School in Ellesmere Port.

He finished well clear of runner-up Seb Dunn (Christleton) who clocked 11:25. Mark Hearn secured Christleton a 1-2-3 in the race after posting a time of 11:41.

Ellen McMahon represented Upton High in the Y7 girls race and secured a winning time of 13:31. Sophie McDonagh, of Neston High, claimed second spot in 14:10, and Emily Wood (Bishops’ High) finished third in 14:26.

Tess Corr (Oldfield) clinched the gold medal in the Y6 girls race after covering the 2.2km course in 10:03. Farndon’s Emily Graham (10:09) and Ffion Douglas (10:33) claimed second and third positions respectively.

Matthew Tuite (8:36) and Thomas Milburn (8:41) secured Farndon a one-two in the Y6 boys event, with Eaton’s Matthew Waters claiming third place in 8:49.

Dominika Sadczuk (7:36) and Beth Downey (7:42) earned St Saviour’s Primary in Ellesmere Port a one-two in the Y5 girls 1.6km race, with Rachel Barrett (Thomas Wedge) finishing third in 7:42.

Elijah Montez-Brown (St Saviour’s) clocked 6:37 for victory in the Y5 boys event, ahead of Farndon’s Josh Boothman (7:03) and William Wright (7:11) who finished second and third respectively.

Jessica Thomas (5:48) and Rachel Milburn (7:38), both from Farndon, finished first and second respectively in the 1.4km Y4 girls race, ahead of bronze medallist Jessica Shrigley (Dee Point).

Henry Eddleston (5:48) and Max Holland (6:08), both from Farndon, claimed first and second places in the Y4 boys race, with Wilf Smith (Overleigh St Mary’s) securing third spot with 6:28.West Cheshire youngsters will attempt to build on their excellent start to the North West Sportshall League season when they travel to their second round match at Shavington, Crewe, on Sunday (noon start). A coach has been booked to the fixture which will leave Cheshire Oaks High School at 10am.