in Red Rose race

Clayton Harrier in driving seat for the title

MARK Aspinall is half way towards a successful defence of his two titles in the Red Rose Cross Country League.

The Clayton Harrier was the winning senior in the Sunday meeting at Wilson Playing Fields, the second of four races in the series.

Although a fortnight ago at Bury he was second, he was beaten only by a guest runner, and at the age of 43, he has been the leading veteran in both rounds. Clayton won both men's team events too with Andrew Stubbs, Ian Greenwood and Andy Black fourth, seventh and 13th for the seniors, and with Greenwood and Black backing Aspinall with third and fourth in the vet class.

Club stalwart Harry Manning won the over 65s.

Aspinall's old club, Rossendale Harriers, were also on song in the veteran classes with Steve Duxbury winning the over 50s again and husband and wife Gerard and Christine Navan each first in their respective categories. Gerard won the M60s and Christine the F55s.

Over 60 John Mitchell and over 65 Adrian Batson took second places for Blackburn Road Runners, while recently qualified veterans Jackie Taylor of Blackburn Harriers and Darwen Dasher Linda Clarkson reprised their 1-2 finish at Bury in the F35s.

Graham Schofield from Darwen won the M45s for his Horwich club.

The newly crowned British under 18 fell champion Rachael Thompson was another Horwich Harrier to prosper, winning the ladies race by a single second, and the junior class much more comfortably. Third woman with Chorley Harriers' best finish of the day was Sarah Scarrott.

Hyndburn Athletic Club have been conspicuous by their absence at recent meetings, but on their own patch they were back in numbers.

Hyndburn's 'Rising Star Award' nominee Leigh Lennon won the under 15s girls race ahead of a rapidly improving Rebecca Robinson from Park High School AC of Colne.

The hosts were the most successful of our girl squads with the under 15s being first and the under 13s and under 17s second. Sean Williams was the highest placed of their males with third in the under 17 men's race.

Former Hyndburn stars Curtis Pearce and Richard Stones returned to their old stomping ground as Blackburn Harriers to log emphatic victories.

Stones recorded his third under 17 win over the country already this winter as Pearce cantered away from the field in the under 15 boys race. There were five more top three finishes for the in-form club with Rachel Searson, Emma Graham, Liam Barton, Scott Monk and Matt Wood.

Burnley and Pendle are two clubs who have not affiliated to the league this year, but each had a fourth place with athletes running as guests, Daniel Westgate for Burnley in the under 13 boys, and junior man Marc Hartley for Pendle.

Rossendale Harrier juniors won two team awards courtesy of the under 13 girls and under 15 boys, while three more of their squads were third. For the under 15s, Phil Bolton, Carl Andrew and Aaron Barker took second, third and fifth and although well beaten by Curtis Pearce they are relishing the next round at the always muddy Marl Pits venue.

Emma Flanagan was runner up in the under 13s with Katie Ireland a strong fourth in the under 15s.