Dominic Bannister and Emma Hunt gave Shaftesbury Barnet a double in the first Reebok Cross Challenge series at Liverpool on Saturday.

Champion for the past three years, Bannister got off to a splendid start in his bid for a fourth title in a row. Seeing off the challenge of a top class field in the men's senior event over 8.5km, he clocked 25mins 24secs, and was six seconds clear of his nearest rival, former junior star Sam Haughian.

In the U17 girls' contest over 4km, Shaftesbury athletes filled the first two places. After an exciting duel, Emma Hunt won in 12mins 53secs, with Chloe Wilkinson only two seconds behind.

Good support from Justine Nash, 24th in 14mins 20secs, and Maryam Shakiba, 44th in 15mins 21secs, enabled Shaftesbury to emerge as top team.

The club's U15 girls were second in their team competition behind Aldershot. Leading them home was Lyndsay Barr, 15th, followed by Laura Hunt, 22nd, Sarah Waldron, 25th, Sian Bentley, 37th, and Katie Alcock, 40th.

Successful in the first North-West London League meeting, Chris Purdue gave a repeat in the boys' U13 race at Harrow on Saturday.

Several other Shaftesbury runners figured prominently. Sam Hall was joint winner of the boys' U17 run, David Barr was second in the U11 contest, and Isobella Ramsay was third in the U15 girls' race. David and Isobella lead their sections in the league after two meetings.

October 23, 2001 13:43