ATHLETICS: WEST Cheshire AC veterans have made club history by being crowned Northern champions at the weekend.

The landmark success concluded a successful winter cross-country campaign for the team who are celebrating a unique double after clinching both the Cheshire and Northern team titles.

The veterans secured the Northern team title by claiming the first team prize as well as four individual medals at Moss Bank Park in Bolton.

Graham MacNeil led the team home over an accurately measured 10k course in 36 minutes 33 seconds.

He was well supported by Ellesmere Port's Ken Begley (36.58) in fourth place, Dave Tiernan (37.49) in seventh place and Graham Jenkins, from Stanney Oakes, (38.03) in eighth place.

MacNeil was the first Over-40 finisher and Begley, having his best race for several months, received the Over-40 runners-up medal.

Jenkins was the second Over-45 finisher and claimed a silver medal, to add to the individual Over-45 Gold medals he received at the Cheshire, and Liverpool and District Championships.

However West Cheshire's second team were cruelly deprived of the second place team award, through a painful achilles injury to Dave Fisher half way through the race.

The veterans' success follows hot on the heels of the club's junior members who have also enjoyed an inspired winter campaign.

The foundation has now been set for the spring season, when the team can begin their challenge for more honours on May 20, at the BMAF road relays in Sutton Coldfield (age-groups 35-44, 45-55, 55-65, over 65).

Fixtures this weekend include the final round in the West Cheshire AC Open junior cross-country series, at the Stanney Track, at 10am.

Forthcoming fixtures include the Chester and District Rural Schools' cross-country championships, at Thomas Wedge, Saughall, on Tuesday, March 7, (1.30pm start).

Several West Cheshire AC members will be competing for Cheshire in the Inter-Counties cross-country championships, at Nottingham, on Saturday, March 11.

West Cheshire AC will be competing in the Borders Road Running League at Frodsham, on Sunday, March 12.