Southampton AC continued their fine cross country form with some good team and magnificent individual performances in race 3 of the Hampshire Cross country league on Saturday at Popham Airfield.

The weather was chilly with a stiff breeze but dry with good views all around the course for spectators.

Leading the way in the Senior womens race was Ceri Mitchell who continues her fine form with an outstanding victory, finishing over 20 seconds clear of the nearest opposition. Next home for Southampton was Laura Brenton in 22nd followed by Katie Hickson in 24th to give Southampton AC a 3rd place finish in the team race. Hickson was followed home by Mhairi-Clair Stewart in 27th and Sophie Darling in 32nd with all 3 eligible for the U20 age group. Rachael Evans was 60th and Lynne Massey 78th.

First to finish for the Senior men was Matthew Bennett in 12th place, followed by Tim Spencer in 20th, Matthew Revier in 25th, Martin Johnson in 27th and Tom Muddiman in 33rd to see the mens team match the womens for a 3rd place finish.

Next home was Matt Hibberd in 36th followed by the first of Southampton's U20 athletes Martin Campbell in 43rd. Jon Quint was 44th, Russell Osborn 45th, Gareth Klepacz was 52nd, C Brown 53rd, Graham Fisher 57th, Peter Merritt 59th, Stuart Hicks 61st, J Smith 62nd, Dave Blackman 63rd, Tim Sherman 74th, Michael Tanner 86th, Andrew Sweeney 88th, Steve Marcer 100th, Michael Read 105th, E Maynard 110th, Jim Bennett 158th and Keith Hollis 169th

The young athletes were also in good form with George Butler winning the U15 boys race to maintain his position at the top of the league standings. Lucas Clements was 14th & Jamie Abrahams 15th to bring the team home 3rd and also well clear in the race for the team league title. Alex Prinsep was next in 26th followed by Matt Abbott in 53rd.

In the U13 boys, Sam Costley secured another top ten finish in 10th, followed by Owen Lawrence in 29th.

In the U17 mens race, Niall Holt was the first Southampton AC runner home in 20th, followed by David Fisher in 22nd and Jack Lynch in 25th to see the team home in 5th place. Alex Ruggles was 30th & Amarpal Gill in 31st.

In the U17 womens race Frances Arnott was the first of the Southampton AC athletes home with a fine 4th place finish followed by Daena Bennett in 10th and Becky Lord in 17th for a 4th place team finish which maintains them in 2nd place in the overall team standings.

In the U13 girls race, Lizzie Payne was 7th, Jessie Tucker 24th & Rosie Lynch 30th to see the team home in 4th place and 3rd overall in the league standings. Elizabeth Curzen was 35th, Emily Astbury 42nd & Eleanor Prinsep was 46th. In a top quality U15 girls race, Abbie Fisher was 12th, Caitlin Stewart 16th and Briallen Taylor was 25th to see the team home 4th and joint 2nd in the overall league standings. Helen Jones was 35th.

Link to results
Results

Ceri Mitchel on the way to her win.