ATHLETICS: A QUARTET of West Cheshire AC youngsters triumphed in the third round of the West Cheshire AC Open Junior Cross Country Races.

Alex Kirk, Joseph O'Riordan, Bradley Edwards and Michael Lyness produced a set of excellent performances to bolster the club's growing reputation for producing outstanding young athletes.

Kirk began the run of victories with an excellent time in the four-round series of races held at the Stanney Track, Ellesmere Port.

He clocked a time of 3 mins 22 secs to hold off the challenge of fellow club members James Maloney and third-placed James McMahon in the U9 boys' race.

In the U11 boys' race O'Riordan cemented a convincing victory in a time of 5.21 to beat Stockport Harriers' James Parrott and West Cheshire teammate Alex Jenkins.

Edwards made it a hat-trick of successes after another convincing win in the U13 boys' race.

He crossed the line in an impressive time of 7.59, a clear 26 seconds ahead of Warrington AC duo, Alex Smith and Mike Gregg.

Michael Lyness completed the quadruple triumph with victory in the U15 boys' event.

He posted a time of 10.26 for the two-lap course and finished well clear of clubmates Alan Littler and Jack Stones.

Other notable achievements on the day included West Cheshire AC duo Tessa McCormick and Alice Jennings finishing second (5.37) and third (5.50) respectively in the U11 girls' race.

Abbie Noble finished runner-up in the U13 girls' race, with a time of 9.03.

nNext round of the West Cheshire AC Open Junior Cross Country Race Series takes place at Stanney Track on Saturday, March 4 (10am start, first race).

The English National Cross Country Championships will take place at Parliament Hill, London on Saturday, while West Cheshire AC has entered two teams in Sunday's Northern Vets Cross Country Championships taking place at Bolton.

The Cheshire Track and Field League annual meeting takes place at Frodsham Community Centre on Wednesday, March 1 (7.30pm).