THOMAS Gold of Rossendale Harriers was the first cross country winner of the new season as the Red Rose League kicked off in rainy Bury.

Thomas came home in the under 11 race, a non-league race which was a taster for the youngest competitors.

His team mates followed his example with another five juniors making the top three over the course of the afternoon, although it was left to veteran Karen Taylor to provide their only other individual win in the over 45 class.

-Dominic Walton and Joseph Johnson with second and third helped the under 13s to win team honours.

And there was more team success in the under 15s girls race thanks to Emma Flanagan, Katie Ireland and Heather Parker who packed closely in third, fourth and fifth.

Joe Kelly and Paul Wadsworth took third places to help the under 15s and under 17s finish second while the under 17 girls were also runners up.

Blackburn Harriers with a large presence at Chesham Playing Fields, were among the first three teams in no less than six races.

The under 17 men won the day by a single point from Rossendale after Curtis Pearce and Tom Melody took fourth and fifth and Adam Hurley rounded off their effort. Rachel Searson was second under 15 girl, a position matched by the team.

Both under 13 squads were runners up too as the under 15 boys were third. Katie Morris won the under 20 class in the senior women's race, then there was a terrific three cornered fight for the senior men's team prize.

Tom Cornthwaite's individual second place proved to be decisive for Blackburn, and he is the early leader in the league standings as the only athlete to beat him was guest runner Carl Hardman from Salford Harriers.

The final counters Brian Cole and Graeme Holden were vital as they beat Horwich by a mere three points and Rossendale by 15.

Clayton-le-Moors Harriers dominated the veteran classes with both teams and six individuals winning.

Third placed senior Anna Kelly was the top veteran while World Masters silver medallist Vanessa Peacock won the over 50s.

Kath Brady was the third counter for the team. Over 45 Mark Aspinall was the leading men's veteran while Phil Hall,

Dave Scott and Ted Orrell won the M40, M60 and M65 divisions.

There was a welcome return to the league for Burnley AC and Danielle Walker who won the under 17 women's race in her first outing since July.

Park High School AC from Colne have also affiliated to the league this season and made an early impact with victory for Melissa Berry in the under 13s and third for Rececca Robinson in the under 17s.