Team Kennet finish cross country season on a high

TEAM Kennet were among the medals in the last round of the Basingstoke Junior Cross Country League, at Down Grange in Basingstoke, writes Emily Copeman.

Conditions were perfect, when the under-9 girls opened proceedings.

Praiya Foreman decided to take it on from clubmate Matilda Saunders and opened up a 10m gap from the first 400m.

Both worked hard all the way around the course as they came in first and second, meaning they shared equal first in the individual league.

Next home was Cecily Wyer, who showed great improvement from two weeks ago, then Matilda Hogg to wrap up the under-9 team title.

Other runners were Delilah Tippett (14th), Gracie Williams (16th), Evelyn Barker (17th) and Evelyn Pedersen (20th).

The under-9 boys were in the lead in the teams event , so a win would secure the title.

TK Boys made sure they packed well, Chester Bailey running a superb race for second place.

Lenny Wyvill was next home in fifth place and with William Moloney eighth and Idris Gaye ninth, they looked good for a win.

But Basingstoke just edged the club into second place and the boys having to settle for runners-up in the league.

The under-11 girls had already secured the league title, but wanted to make it four wins out of four.

Another brilliant win from Ella Larkin saw her crowned under-11 champion, while Penelope Lyth finished third to secure third overall.

Matilda Clare was seventh, securing fourth overall, then Ella McDonald in eighth place for the team win.

The under-11 boys were chasing individual placing awards.

Sam Atkins decided to go out hard to keep him in the top three.

This he did, staying in second place for two thirds of the race, to be overtaken by Malik Gaye, who came home in second to finish runner-up in the individuals.

Atkins came in third to finish third overall and with Fynn Sanderson 14th and JJ Mercer 15th the team were placed third on the day.

The under-13 girls made sure of wrapping up the league team title, winning their third match in a row.

Harriet Saunders set off at a steady pace then to powered to her fourth straight win and the overall individual title.

Newcomer Oliver Bentley made a great debut run coming home in fifth, while Jessie McCurtin (sixth), Anna Hall (seventh) and Emerald Hill Sawyer (eighth) saw the girls take the win.

In the under-13 boys Harry Smith pushed hard to finish in fifth place.

Oscar Larkin was a place behind and Elliot Bell (10th) and Henry Bell (12th) secured third in the team event.

In the under-15 girls, Charlotte Bailey wanted to make it four wins in a row.

Amelie Tayton, making her debut for the club, was ninth and Lola Mitcham took 12th as the girls finished second overall on the day and in the team standings.

Ethan Kuijten scored his second win in a row to secure the under-15 title.