Stevenage and North Herts AC s cross-country runners had a successful time at Culham in Oxfordshire on Saturday for the third match in this year s Chiltern League. Although the weather was dry and fairly mild, they were confronted by a demanding course fe

Stevenage and North Herts AC's cross-country runners had a successful time at Culham in Oxfordshire on Saturday for the third match in this year's Chiltern League.

Although the weather was dry and fairly mild, they were confronted by a demanding course featuring the steep muddy slopes of a motocross course and the perimeter of flooded meadows on the banks of the River Thames.

There were 28 local athletes who completed their races on a day when many runners of all standards failed to complete the course.

Once again, the club dominated the junior and under-17 women's section with Sara Bailey making it a hat-trick of first places in the league so far this season.

A comprehensive team win was completed by Jo Mansell in second, Lauren Cunningham fifth, Becky Newstead seventh, Jasmine Forde ninth and Tilly Scheuber 10th.

The under-17 men's team were second with Callum McKechnie sixth, Josh Moss an improving seventh, Louis Naylor also improving to ninth and Aaron Reynolds 10th.

Paul Spicer's highest placing so far of third in the under-13 boys was supported by Tom Sheren's 12th place for third in their team event.

Hannah Dewhurst had another fine run in the under-13 girls' race finishing fifth and the backing of Alex Gates 13th, Sarah Pike 14th, Bethany Hills 15th and Charlotte Baird 20th resulted in this team also coming third.

First home in the under-15 boys was Lewis Keeble in eighth with Luke Langley 10th, Warren Herridge 11th, David Pickett 12th and David O'Connell 13th packing closely for another team placing of third.

The under-15 girls finished fourth thanks to Amy Pring's 11th place and Louise O'Connell's 13th.

Final race of the day was the senior men's event which again saw all the club's runners comfortably in the front half of the large field.

First finisher was Marcus McKechnie, one of the youngest competitors in the race, in 10th. He was closely followed by Adam Searle 12th and Dan Poulton 14th with Sam Poulton 24th and the team were seventh.

Dan Poulton's run was particularly notable as one of his shoes came off in the mud on the steepest descent on the course when he was well placed early on the first lap and about half the field passed him as he put it back on!

He overtook dozens of runners and nearly caught all his clubmates in a storming second lap charge.

Four club athletes took part in last Wednesday's Fairlands Valley Spartans 5k road race.

Times: Adam Searle 17:01, Lewis Keeble 18:59, Louis Naylor 19:14, Jo Mansell 19:15.