MARKING the start of the winter cross-country season members of Tavistock Athletic Club were out on Sunday to compete in the first fixture of the Brooks Westward Cross Country League at Redruth.

Race one in the U11s development race was packed with enthusiasm and energy. For Tavistock Tilly Mc Dowell and Tayla James both gave it their utmost with Tilly finishing ahead of her team-mate.

In the U17s men and senior ladies both covered a 4.9 course. Sam Lane DeCourtin took an early lead in the race but was closely tracked by an athlete from Erme Valley Harriers. As the race progressed Sam struggled to maintain the fierce pace at the front buut still finished well clear in second.

The Tavistock ladies team was composed entirely of veterans. Rebecca Exley-Deane led the way, showing good early season form in finishing 29th in the joint race. Further down, Kate Rogers is likely to feature strongly at over-55 level, finishing 51st followed by debutant Ann-Marie Chater who, came in 59th to complete the team.

The U13 girls race saw a fine performance from the first Tavistock athlete, Natasha Farrington, who came through strongly to take fifth place. She was followed by Jenny Milburn with a 13th position.

The sole representative at U13 boys was Lee Shipton, who rounded the last corner to thunderous applause from the entire senior men's field as he finished in 31st place.

The senior men's race was fought out over a relative short 8.1K, but the course and conditions made for a blisteringly fast race. Unfortunately, the twists and drops were too much for Tavistock's leading runner Jim Cole, who has been suffering with recurring knee problems and was not able to make the finish.

The leading Tavistock runner was Richard Drage finishing in 46th place, just ahead of youngster Harrison Baker, who has just enetered this age-group. Struggling at 61st was Tony Symons, just ahead of Steve Watson and Tim Exley who changed positions throughout before Watson managed a final push to take 66th, one place in front of his team-mate. Mike Baker ran well to take 89th with Jason Shipton 90th, Gary Chater 98th and Bob Chapman in 104th.

The U15 girls race featured last-year's U13s winner, Sian Temple. She ran to her usual high standard, the age-difference between her and the Cornish athlete who eventually won was probably the main factor in denying Sian victory.

The final race was for the U15 boys. Syd Copson-Ball was the first Tavistock finisher, battling throughout a tough run to take 12th and followed by a gritty run from Charlie Shipton in 13th place.