Team Kennet Juniors were back in action in the third round of the Basingstoke Cross Country League, held at Hartley Wintley near Hook.
The conditions were very damp underfoot, which were ideal for cross country running, the rain held of till the last race.
The girls section of the club won all four races with 5 team victories also on the day
The under 9 girls were first up and Matilda Saunders and Praiya Foreman took on the lead to battle it out together over the course, Saunders coming in as the winner, with Foreman taking second, it was then down to the next two girls to see if they won the team, next home was Matilda Hogg in 11th and Evelyn Pedersen brought the team home in 14th which was just good enough to secure the team win, Newcomer Gracie Williams was next home in 18th and Iris Evans was 20th.
The Under 9 Boys saw a record turnout in the race, made up of 10 of the Tk runners, a good group of 4 TK runners settled in the top 10 to battle it out together, this would see the Yellow vest certainly secure a team win, Chester Bailey was 2nd his best run of the season, just behind in 6th was Lenny Wyvill another newcomer, close behind was Idris Gaye in 7th and the team was made up of William Moloney in 9th, The second team was made up of Gethin Thomas 12th, Toby Hartley 16th, Alexander Cameron 22nd and Jacob Williams 23rd, also taking part were Max Burt 28th and Joshua Phoenix 30th.
The under 11 Girls wrapped up the league with a brilliant team win, this was matched again in the individual placings with Ella Larkin striding to her third victory of the year, Penelope Lyth made it another 3rd place so she kept her campaign to finish in top 3 overall, Matilda Clare was 6th and Ella McDonald 7th.
The second team was led in by new Comer Ayla Wyvill in 10th place, just behind was a large group of TK girls Orlagh Stratford 12th, Affra Bailey 15th, Elodie Burdett 16th and Alice Stratford 17th which was good enough to take 3rd team on the day, next home was Ella parsons 22nd, Matilda Pedersen 35th, Grace Hogg 41st and Sophie Barnett 44th.
The under 11 Boys were up next, in a tough age group this year, this race was certainly a strong field, as Samuel Atkins could only finish 12th, Thomas Williams was 15th, Connor O’Riordan 23rd and JJ Mercer 24th to take 4th team, Fynn Sanderson was next home in 25th, then Joshua Kuijten 40th, Toby Clay 41st and Miles Phoenix 48th
The under 13 girls rose to the pressure again having to win the last two matches, Harriet Saunders took the first lap steady then put her foot down over the last two laps to secure her third win and securing the league title with one match to go, good packing from the TK girls saw Emerald Hill Sawyer 5th having her best run of the season, Anna Hall 6th and Jessie McCurtin 7th to secure the team win, Ella Cronk was next home in 11th
The under 13 boys were next, averaging 14 runners per match, they were down to just 7 to other commitments, Harry Smith was the clubs first runner home in 5th place, Elliot Bell was 10th, Henry Bell 12th and Frank Edwards 15th secured third team on the day, Charlie Adams was next home in 17th, Harry Barnett 18th and Rueben Kuijten 20th.
The under 15 Girls and Boys race together, Charlotte Bailey made sure she secured her third victory of the season and secured her individua league title wit ha superb race, and Ethan Kuijten was in a 3 way battle for most of the race, but had to settle for a very good 2nd place in the end.
Going in to the last match of the year, Team Kennet look good in taking a lot of silverware home, they cannot be beat in the individual girls races and are secured of several top 3 individual awards as well, in the team placings the under 9 girls and under 11 girls are now secured, with under 13 girls, under 9 boys and under 13 boys could also get top 3 team placings.
