The West Berkshire & North Hampshire Primary Schools Cross Country got back in to action again at Newbury Showground after a 2 year gap due to Covid on Tuesday, Organized by Team Kennet Athletics over a New Course with all four races on the same route over 1.28miles.
The Event now in its 24th year saw 44 schools compete with 1211 finishers really amazing numbers after what has happened in past two years.
The first Race year 3 / 4 Girls saw 261 finishers, two runners battled it out till the last 200m where Ella Larkin finally broke her rival to take the win representing Falkland, Quinn Joyce (Fir Tree) came in just a few seconds behind for second and Maisie McCurtin from Falkland took third place, for the Team awards, Falkland took the team victory over Thorngrove and St. Nicolas in third.
Race 2 the year 3 / 4 Boys again saw another two way battle till last 300m, Alexander Crosse came out the strongest to win from Falkland, Ronny Bowsher from Thatcham Park took second and Malik Gaye from Spurcroft taking third place, the Teams it was Falkland again taking the win, with St. Nicolas second place and Springfield third team, 304 finishers in this race
Race 3 the Year 5 / 6 Girls saw 314 finishers, yet again another two way battle up front down to the last 100m that saw Erin-Rose Dunk from Pangbourne just edging in front for the win, over Anna Hall from Falklnad and Sefahian Siabulu from Long Lane taking third place, The Team victory went to St. Gabriels, with Streatley taking second place and Thorngrove third.
Race 4 the Year 5 / 6 Boys saw the biggest field of 332 finishers, Aiden Fleming from Bucklebury started off with a lead that he never gave up to win by 100m, Beau Williams from St Nicolas taking second place and Jacob Nowak from Speenhamland third place, The Teams first place went to John Rankin School, with Falkland taking 2nd place and St. Nicolas third place.
The overall winning school went to St. Nicolas by a single point while retaining champions Falkland took runners up and Thorngrove taking third place and the first Hampshire Schools Trophy, fourth place went to John Rankin and making up top 5 teams Francis Baily.
The small Schools Trophy went to Streatley and the Overall B team (second teams) went to Thorngrove.
There is now a League System set up of 3 Divisions, In Division 1 St. Nicolas School were crowned Champions with Falkland runners up and John Rankin Third, In League Division 2 Thorngrove won with St. Gabriels taking Second and Pangbourne third place will all get promoted to top Division. League Division 3 saw Long Lane take the win, The Winchcombe taking runners up and Hampstead Norreys third place all being promoted to Division 2
