WILL Ashfield led Vale Royal Athletics Club’s under 15s boys to victory at last weekend’s Northern Cross Country Relays Championships.

He crossed the line 10 seconds clear of closest-rival Daniel Hayes (Wirral AC) after starting the last leg placed second following a handover from Jake Wilson.

Patrick Griffith ran the first leg, and was fourth by the end of it.

"We weren't sure what to expect because they haven't raced together previously as a trio," said coach Shaun McGrath.

"They were over the moon to win."

Northwich Guardian:

Patrick Griffith, left, ran the first leg for a Vale Royal Athletics Club's under 15s boys team that won gold at the Northern Cross Country Relays Championship. Picture: Rob Brown/Vale Royal AC

There was another medal for the club at Graves Park in Sheffield where an under 15s girls’ trio of Faye Conboy, Grace Roberts and Holly Weedall finished in third position.

And they almost completed a remarkable recovery after Conboy twisted an ankle on the opening stint.

Roberts took her team from 28th to ninth following a stunning second leg before Weedall stormed off in pursuit of those in front to take bronze just four seconds adrift of runners-up Chorley.

Her split of 7:18 was a dozen seconds quicker than any rival in the age-group category.

McGrath added: "I felt desperately sorry for Faye but she part-hobbled, part-walked the final few hundred metres to make sure the girls stayed in the race.

"It was a brilliant recovery from Grace and Holly to finish inside the top-three from that position."

Northwich Guardian:

Grace Roberts moved up the order from outside the top 20 to ninth during the second leg of the under 15s girls' race during the Northern Cross Country Relays Championship. Picture: Rob Brown/Vale Royal AC

A youthful line-up of Ben Lee, Cameron Weaver, Arun Dight and Jacob Brown, with an average age of just 19, were seventh in the senior men’s race later in the day.

A second quartet, featuring birthday boy John Humphries who turned 18, also classified inside the top 20 overall.

Matt Rowlinson, Josh Betteley and Stuart Doyle followed his first leg.

There were top 10 finishes too for an under 13s girls’ team led by Alice Gale who ran the fourth fastest leg in the field.

Hope Smith and Tarlia Higginbotham build on a swift start.

Sam Stephens handed over to Will McKay before Ed Pettitt brought home an under 17s boys’ trio that was ninth.

A senior women’s team consisting of Clara Pettitt, Emily Lowery and Katelyn Mooney was 15th.

Results (selected Vale Royal AC teams)

Northern Cross Country Relays Championship

At Graves Park, Sheffield

Saturday, October 20

Senior men: 7. Vale Royal AC A (Ben Lee, Cameron Weaver, Arun Dight, Jacob Brown) 42:51; 18. Vale Royal AC B (John Humphries, Matt Rowlinson, Josh Betteley, Stuart Doyle) 45:23; 38. Vale Royal AC C (Gareth Williams, Lee Carrington, David Roberts, Rick Murray) 52:18.

Senior women: 15. Vale Royal AC A (Clara Pettitt, Emily Lowery, Katelyn Mooney) 40:21; 26. Vale Royal AC B (Lucy Burch, Siobhan Tarbuck, Melanie Johnson) 45:21.

Under 17s boys: 9. Vale Royal AC (Sam Stephens, Will McKay, Ed Pettitt) 22:44.

Under 15s boys: 1. Vale Royal AC A (Patrick Griffith, Jake Wilson, Will Ashfield) 21:24.

Under 15s girls: 3. Vale Royal AC A (Faye Conboy, Grace Roberts, Holly Weedall) 23:46; 21. Vale Royal AC B (Ellie Hudson, Thea Smith, Kate Sherry) 25:57.

Under 13s girls: 9. Vale Royal AC A (Alice Gale, Hope Smith, Tarlia Higginbotham) 18:52; 27. Vale Royal AC B (Eabha Lee, Eloise Babbington, Darcie Hudson) 20:29.

Under 11s boys: 18. Vale Royal AC A (Edward Hammond, Thomas Messenger, Alfie Murray) 17:43; 25. Vale Royal AC B (James Pope, Evan Williams, Edward Smith) 18:58.

Under 11s girls: 20. Vale Royal AC A (Erin Carney, Zoe Broughton, Ruby Carrington) 18:28; 29. Vale Royal AC B (Izzy Prior, Caitlin McKendrick, Isabelle Pope) 20:28.