DURSLEY and District Athletic Club were pleased to be able to start this season's cross-country race at Newbridge Fields in Bridgend, Wales. This event covers all age groups from 11 years of age through to seniors. Rather untypical for Wales, it was dry and no mud in sight. The normal stream lacked water, however it was very windy.

Taking a small team of novices and more experienced runners Barry Forbes, keeping athletes aware of starting time etc, guided Dursley. Dursley showed well on the table of results. Perhaps the most promising sign was in the novice girls, with three new members for the club, all showing great promise in a large field, over a course of 1500m. The first home for the club was Ella Hicock in an excellent 12th, very closely followed by Rebecca Crane (19th) and Alice Wright (22nd), fantastic results for their first time in league races.

The more experienced athletes followed the lead set by senior lady Erica Martin (seventh) in another large field, a good result, Ashley Rymer finishing an excellent seventh in the under 15 boys and Laura Burge sixth in the under 15 girls. In a joint race of under 17/20, Keiran Leeson followed with a 17th overall. The senior men's results were Kevin Jackson 114th, Chris Askwith 133rd and Roley Hobbs 279th.

Dursley Athletics Club train on Tuesday evenings, meeting at 6.30pm at the sports hall at Rednock School, all new members welcome.