VALE Royal Athletics Club runners impressed in the Cheshire Schools Cross Country Championships held at Knights Grange in Winsford on Saturday.

Representing their schools on this occasion, many of the club's athletes came to the fore.

In the combined senior boys and senior girls event, Grace Roberts led the girls from start to finish, followed all the way by Holly Weedall who was second.

Will Ashfield took an early lead as he and clubmate Dylan Carney broke away in a group of four. Will finished third, one place ahead of Dylan.

Next race was for the year 7 girls and Nancy Carrington took the win.

She worked her way up to second place and tracked the leader until, with 400m to go, she stepped up her pace and took the lead which she held to the line despite the close attention of Imogen Ward (second), Ella Harvey (fourth) and a Chester athlete.

Eva Jha came second in the years 8 and 9 girls' race, only losing ground to the Warrington athlete she had closely followed in the final 75 metres. Erin Carney ran well throughout and finished fourth.

In the years 10 and 11 girls' race Hope Smith completed an easy win, bravely attacking the field despite not being back to full fitness following illness. Sophie Harding, in her first year as an inter, ran well to finish fifth.

Robbie Price dominated the year 10 and 11 boys' race from the gun, taking the win in the apparently effortless style that is becoming the norm. New member Isaac Leydon came fourth after overhauling Rhys Bowden in the final metres as they raced to the line.

All of the mentioned athletes have gained automatic selection to run for Cheshire Schools at the English Schools Cross Country Championships which will take place in Kent on March 19.

Others who finished outside the top 5 in their age group may subsequently be awarded a discretionary place in the team of eight.