ATHLETICS: A hat-trick of triumphs gave West Cheshire AC the perfect start to their indoor campaign.

Sian Kelman, Daisy Flynn-Piercey, Shona Valentine and Becky Grimes secured a four-and-a-half point win for the U15s girls sprint relay team against second-placed hosts Deeside AAC.

And the U15 boys produced a convincing victory in their team competition, with Matthew White steering the purple-vested squad to success in the six-lap (1.15.8), alongside Louis Humphreys (first B in 1.17.9).

Abbie Kirk stole the show for the U13 girls by winning her two-lap (23.7) and her six-lap (1.21.7), before anchoring the relay team of Leah Ferrie, Sam Galley and Abbie Noble to victory.

The U11 girls were just three points away from a hat-trick of victories, with Alice Jennings, Jenni Potter, Alice McMahon and Francesca Wright teaming up to win the sprint relay and secure second place overall.

There was also a third place for the U11 boys after a string of fine performances for the squad of just five members.

Sam Pierre-Louis posted 24.3 for his two-lap, and Joseph O'Riordan clocked 24.7 before posting 53.4 for top spot in the four-lap.

Aiden Stoakley, Tom Booth, Tom Littler, Sam Rimmer and Jack Bancroft clubbed together for West Cheshire's U13 boys who claimed a creditable fourth place.

Elsewhere, Ken Begley, Graham Earlam and Andrew Clague combined to earn West Cheshire AC top team position at the Sandstone Trail Race.

In the opening round of the North Staffs Cross Country League at Newcastle-under-Lyme, Georgina Wright finished third in her race Bradley Edwards finished fourth in his, and Kerry Riley finished seventh in her event.

Fixtures this weekend include the second round of the North Wales Cross Country League, at Bangor, on Saturday, (2.10pm start), and the David Lloyd 10k on Sunday, from Stanney Oaks Athletics Track, Ellesmere Port (10am start).

Entry forms are available for next year's Shell 25th Four Villages Half Marathon at Helsby, on Sunday, January 22. Entry is limited to 2,500 runners.

Anyone requiring details about West Cheshire AC can call Dennis Wall on (0151) 201 1254, or attend training at Stanney High School.

Junior school pupils aged nine and above are invited along to training at Bishop's High School, Chester on Mondays (6.30-8pm), and/or at Stanney High, Ellesmere Port on Tuesdays (6.30-8pm), and Saturdays between 10am and 12 noon.

High school pupils and seniors are invited to training at Stanney High on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays (6.30pm start), and Saturdays (10am-12 noon).