by Ruth Jones
New blood at Nene Valley Harriers helped the club to one of its most successful cross country season openers in years when athletes from all age groups travelled to Derby for the first of the North Midlands league matches.
Sam Oakley and Joe Garner both placed in the top ten in the under-11 race, which measured 2km on very wet, hilly terrain, while their respective siblings, Oliver and Sam, also ran well in their events.
Oliver Oakley placed in the top 20 in the under-15 race, with Sam Garner 21st in the under-13s.
Bourne athlete Alex Hampson gained the highest position of the day for the Harriers, though, when he finished a comfortable second in a competitive under-17 race.
He led clubmates Ollie Bowling, Jevan Robertson and Will Baker in to take the maximum team points.
Grace Mullins was again the top finisher in the senior women’s race, with Cat Foley and Emma Penniston also running well to ensure they were the third team on the day.
Rosie Marshall and Abbi Gray, meanwhile, held onto 12th and 13th positions in the under-17 event.
Megan Ellison had an excellent race to take fourth place in the under-15 girls, while Amber Park also claimed a top ten position when she took seventh in the under-13s.
Finally, the senior men were led in by top track athlete Lloyd Kempson in 39th, with Aaron Shepherd, Sam Hunt and new recruit Rhys Goddard finishing strongly to take the ninth team position on an excellent day for the club.
