HALESOWEN athletes were out in force this week when competing at the Midland Coun ties Cross Country Championships in Leamington Spa.

Racing in what proved dreadful conditions Halesowen had high hopes of their Under-15 girls.

Stoke’s Georgia Rafferty won the event in 16mins 11secs and was chased home by Halesowen’s Abigail Saker who was eighth in 17-23.

Lily Higgins was next back for Halesowen in 20th place clocking 17-56, following by Katrina Simpson who was 30th in 18-19, with Chloe Fitzpatrick 77th in 20-29 and Chloe Chapman 82nd in 20-51.

They helped Halesowen finish fifth out of the 15 clubs represented.

Halesowen’s Jonathan Lewis finished 58th in the Under-17 men’s race while Isabell Hall came 37th in the women’s under 17 event.

Ben Willetts led Halesowen home in the Under-15 boys race in 51st place with Tom Parker 92nd.

Orla Walker was 84th in the girls Under-13 race with Megan Parker 115th.

There was a huge Halesowen turnout in the senior men’s race.

Richard White led the charge home in 61st spot and was followed by Tom Kenderdine 78th, Mark Hadley 100th, Matt Allen 140th, Bill Nock 153rd, James Parker 200th, David Lewis 218th, Andrew Carruthers 245th Phil Scarr 258th, Andy Nock 264th, James Atkins 268th, Alex Morgan 269th, and Richard Guest 304th from a field of almost 370 runners.

As a result, Halesowen took 14th place from an impressive 34 teams taking part.

Well over 200 runners took part in the senior women’s event with Sally Spencer leading Halesowen home in 95th place followed by Samantha Love who was 149th, Caroline Lambert 160th, Anna Cosimetti 184th and Helen Attwood 198th helping the team to 23rd place.