TAVISTOCK athletes made a significant showing at the first major cross country championships of the season on Newquay.

In addition to round two of the Brooks Westward Cross Country League, the fixture also included the Cornish Championships.

For Tavistock AC members born in the county, this was their opportunity to gain a county vest and selection for the National Inter-Counties race in the spring.

The most significant results came the 6km for U17 men and ladies and senior ladies. From the start, Tavistock's Sam Lane De Courtin took the race to his opponents and by 3.5km, he had reduced the group to only one opponent who was to prove unable to live with Sam's pace. A strong and determined performance to give the Tavistock runner victory and the Cornish U17 title. James Best ran strongly to take fourth in the Westward League positions only 24 hours after finishing third in the tough Sourton Scramble Race. Aided by colleagues Harrison Baker (12th), Pete Jarman (16th) and David Farmer(20th) the Tavistock team finshed second.

In the Ladies competition, Tavistock's Alice Rogers finished 15th, but more importantly was the first Under-20 Lady so was able to provide the club with their second County Champion in the same race. Ony a few seconds behind was Caroline Steven, 2nd in the Veteran 45 category.

In the U13 girls race, both Tavistock representatives were also looking for county selection. They did not disappoint, Sian Temple took a superb third on her club debut, followed by Jasmin Gray in fifth.

In the boys version did Harry Herdman recorded a fine fourth in the Westward League and with colleagues Matteo Pearce in ninth and Jude White in 11th, the team clinched second place.

Due to the large entry, the Newquay event sees the usally mixed U11 development race split into separate races for boys and girls. One of Tavistock's finest prospects Jenny Milburn won the girls race in style. Providing strong support were a significant number of team mates, Tilly McDowell finishing a superb fourth, with Olivia Bull 12th, Lottie Trevethan 15th, Yasmin Steven 26th and Taylor James 28th.

In the U15 girls' race the strong girls' squad was again in action, Emily Attfield finishing fifth overall after battling with her team mate Tess Masselik all the way to the line. As consolation, Tess was the second Cornish finisher in 10th place; Mollie Rickwood ran a fine race to ensure the team took second.

In the U15 boys William Dax and Josh Blake put in strong runs in their club debuts, taking 12th and 14th places respectively.

In the senior men there was a tough 9.6 km battle with a huge field of 115 runners. Tavistock fielded both senior and veteran teams,with the veterans finishing in the top three.

Individually, Tony Symons was first home, taking 42nd position and second in the over-50 category in the Westward League, with colleague Martin Exley taking third in the same age-group and 52nd overall but securing runner-up spot in the Cornish rankings. Charlie Lloyd in 68th, Gert Masselik in 87th and Bob Chapman in 89th completed the teams scorers, with Chapman also achieving third in the over-60 in the League. In only his second race, Stuart Ross ran through to take 101st.

Attention now turns to Exeter in early December for the next race, which also includes the Devon Championships.