ELLIE Barker took the honours for the girls as the schools’ newly named Neville Jones Cross Country League kicked off at Walton Gardens.

The St Elphin’s Primary School runner was a clear winner of the under 11s race in the Warrington Athletics Club Schools Cross Country League that is now named after Neville Jones, who organised the event for many years on behalf of the club.

Barker was first home from a field of 152 girls representing 24 schools in an eventful opening round of the series.

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

Although the weather on the day was dry, due to the terrible weather recently the underfoot conditions were wet and very muddy in places resulting in quite a few runners’ shoes being lost.

A ‘mishap’ resulted in no times being recorded for the opening race, but following Barker home were identical twins Sinead and Cara Gregory from St Monica’s Primary School.

They led their team to first place on 29 points, with Broomfields Junior School in second on 78 points and Cherry Tree third on 88 points.

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Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

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Imogen Wharton of Cardinal Newman High School was victorious in the year seven girls’ race.

She clocked 11mins 09secs to finish 20 seconds ahead of her identical twin Nia, while Eva Jha of Weaverham High School was third in 11mins 45secs.

Bridgewater were the only team to complete on 22 points.

In the years eight and nine girls’ race Emily Entwistle of Bridgewater High School won in 11mins 03 secs.

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

Great Sankey High School’s Alice Nicholson followed her home in 11mins 20secs, with Harriet Bell of Bridgewater crossing the line third in 12mins 07secs.

Bridgewater were the only complete team on 19 points.

WATCH/READ: Video, photos, report of the boys' round one race in the Neville Jones Cross Country League 2019



 

Only two girls contested the years 10 and 11 girls’ race, run in combination with the year seven and eight girls' race as well as the boys' races in the same age groups.

Lymm High School’s Jasmine Jones won in 11mins 04secs, ahead of Rebecca Nixon from King’s Leadership.

The top three individuals and teams in each category will take their points into round two at Walton Gardens on Saturday, November 16.