YOUNG cross country athletes from Leigh Harriers are celebrating after bringing home the Mid-Lancs Cross Country League under 13s team trophy.

Excellent performances in the 3k race in Kendal from Kristian Wade, Joseph Wane, Ben McLaughlin, Billy Blain and Lucas White were enough to secure first team place in the five-match series.

“This is the first time Leigh Harriers have competed as a team in the Mid-Lancs League and we were pushed to the last race by Lancaster and Morecambe, who were just one point behind,” said Margaret Galvin, team manager.

“The boys packed well to win by two points in the end.”

Kristian Wade, who finished fourth in the individual standings, will go on represent Greater Manchester in the Inter-County Championships in Birmingham.

And he will be joined by fellow Leigh Harrier Keeley Hodgkinson, who won the under 13s 2.5km cross country race at Crooklands, Kendal, on Saturday.

Her victory meant she finished third overall in the series, and helped Leigh Harriers to a second placing on the day – with notable assistance from Eve Williams, Joanna Smith and Grace Newton.

Meanwhile Leigh Harriers under 11s boys Kyle Jones and Josef Short prepared to represent Greater Manchester Primary Schools at Heaton Park on March 22 by battling to overall fourth and fifth places respectively in their age group at the Mid-Lancs XC League meeting.