Accrington Road Runners show their class at Chorley's Astley Park (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Accrington Road Runners show their class at Chorley's Astley Park

10:15am Thursday 15th December 2011 in Athletics By Gary York, Sports reporter

ACCRINGTON Road Runners’ women can enjoy their Christmas knowing they are halfway to clinching two titles in the Mid Lancs Cross Country League.

The club’s ladies continued their successful season at Chorley on Saturday by gaining maximum points in the senior and Vet 35 leagues by extending their lead at the top of both tables.

Astley Park was the venue for the third league meeting of the series and the route proved testing for the runners on the back of considerable rain prior to the weekend.

Accrington took 15 runners to the event, allowing them to enter three ladies teams and two mens team, and senior ladies A team finished second overall, just behind Horwich RMI, from 28 teams.

For the third meeting in a row, the club’s V35 team – comprising Sarah Ridehalgh, Debbie Gowans and Julie Brady – finished first and now look favourites to win their league.

With a maximum 30 points from three races, they sit seven points clear of second-placed Preston Harriers.

The senior team are also well placed over the same rivals, Preston, boasting a six-point advantage.

Accrington’s men also had a good day, the senior team including Shaun Livesey, Graham Morris and Barry Brock maintaining their second place in the Third Division with the V40 men going one better and being the top team in Second Division and moving to the top of the league.

In the junior categories, Grace Handley provided the bright spot for Blackburn Harriers with a comprehensive victory in the U13 girls race.

Handley came first in 11 minutes and 17 seconds, 20 second ahead of closest challenger Deni Impett from Blackpool Wyre and Fylde.

But it is the Rossendale Harriers team that is currently leading the way, thanks to Corrina Howorth, who finished third overall, Charlotte Waddingon (fifth), Sarah Longshaw (10th) and Shauna Williamson (18th).

Hyndburn AC’s Alexa McTiffin took fourth spot in the race, with Ribble Valley’s Eleanor Bolton 15th.

In the U11 girls, Natalya Irvine of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers maint-ained her recent good form with a third placed finish.

Hyndburn duo Eve Hutchinson (12th) and Nicola Moynihan (21st) were among the chasing pack, with Chorley Harriers pair Caitlin McCarrick 27th and Evie Barclay 28th. Maisy Vasic of Rossendale was a further place back, while Emily Hunter of Chorley AC came 30th.

Hunter’s club-mate Ben Hughes was the leading local entrant in the U11 boys, coming fifth overall.

Rossendale duo Harley Place and Matthew Amckay finished ninth and 13th respectively, while Liam Wright of Chorley Harriers took 11th place.

Pendle AC’s U13 boys continue to lead the way at the top of their league after taking maximum points for the second time this season.

Their strong team of Matthew Barnes (fourth), Tiaman Crorken (ninth), Luke Thompson (11th) and Matthew Thompson (13th) all produced strong performances, while club-mate Thomas Marchant was not far behind.

Byron Abbot of Blackburn Harriers was sixth overall in the U13 boys, while Joshua Whitehead led the Rossendale challenge in 17th.

In the U15s category, Amelia Wood of Ribble Valley AC was the leading local girl in fourth, with Rossen-dale’s Rebecca Flanagan and Lucie Moore in sixth and 10th place.

Pendle’s Darius Boardman gave a top display in the U15 boys section, coming home second, with club-mate Matthew Dutton in seventh.

Matthew Harris of Rossendale was in 12th overall.