THE roads were paved in gold for two Vale Royal teams.

Under 17s women’s and under 15s girls’ teams achieved first place for the club at the Northern Road Relay Championships in Manchester at the weekend.

Significant time difference earned gold for the under 17s team, with Sir John Deane students Lucy and Holly Smith – on first and third legs – together with Ellie Grinnell putting 40 seconds between them and Salford Harriers at the finish line.

Holly’s 12.46 for the longer 3700m course was the fastest leg overall.

Faye Conboy, Grace Roberts and Holly Weedall won the under 15s title by finishing more than a minute ahead of Longwood Harriers.

Weedall produced the fastest leg overall, while Roberts was next best over the 3100m distance around the concourse and surrounding car parks of the Etihad Stadium in bright and breezy conditions.

The senior men’s A team will go on to compete in the National Road Relays at Sutton Coldfield next weekend as a result of their performance.

A young squad, with an average age of just 21 comprising Ryan Moore, Harry Dexter, Jacob Brown, Chris Perry, Arun Dight and Andy Miles, finished 13th of 140 teams.

Only the top 25 A teams plus any B teams that finish in the top 25 from the North progress against the best from the Midlands and the South.

Vale Royal's B team of Cameron Weaver, Alex Doyle, Matt Rowlinson, Josh Betteley, Stuart Doyle and George Thompson recorded 30th overall.

The under 15s boys' team of Dylan Carney, Patrick Griffith and Will Ashfield achieved a creditable fifth place, with Ashall on the final leg clocking the fifth fastest time overall.

Sam Stephens, Will McKay and Ed Pettitt registered ninth in the under 17s men’s race.

In the senior women’s competition, Emily Lowery, Kate Moulds, Andrea Hilldrup and Katelyn Mooney claimed 19th from more than 100 teams.