THE new Brooks Westward Cross Country League season started in style at Central Park, Plymouth on Sunday and was enhanced by the biggest-ever entry from Tavistock AC.

The competition covers a series of monthly races at six venues across Devon and Cornwall.

Points are scored on individual and team bases and include numerous age-group competitions.

The heavy rain, the challenging, hilly course remained firm underfoot making for fast and furious racing throughout.

In the U11s boys and girls over 1,500m route Dan Luckham led the way for Tavistock with a super quick run to take second place. Josh Craddock followed rapidly in 15th and Joe Dix 21st.

Race two combined more than 180 U17 boys and girls with the senior ladies with 26 TAC runners. First home for Tavistock was Johannes Clifton-Flower in an outstanding second place and his result, combined with finishes for Will Dax in fourth and Josh Blake in tenth, gave the team a lead on the U17s boys team standings.

Encouraged by coaches Martin and Rebecca Exley-Deane, the senior ladies fielded 16 runners across all age-groups. Veteran Caroline Steven marked a return to competition with 78th place and first senior finisher. Only two places down was Jess Williams, also in fine recent form followed by Rebecca Exley-Deane in 88th.

In the U13 girls Natasha Farrington finished in fifth with Jenny Milburn ninth and Tilly McDowell 15th.

Lee Shipton was the only Tavistock presence in the U13 boys event, covering 2,500m, with Lee battling hard to take 20th place.

The largest single race was the senior men's which saw over 170 compete. Tavistock's outstanding young runner, Sam Lane DeCourtin, surged into the top 10 and led more experienced clubmate Jim Cole for the first 3km of the 9km race. Cole, eventually took seventh place to the youngster's 12th. Close behind came the in-form Neil Barkell, running strongly for a very good 15th. Completing the result for Tavistock A team were Richard Drage in 48th and Tony Symons in 60th. The day rounded off with the U15s' race in which Tavistock's Tom Brew, took a fine 12th with a great opening run of the season.

n The next outing of Tavistock Athletic Club's fledgling monthly 5k, The 5KooL RuN, takes place on Saturday and everyone is invited to take part.

The run is scheduled for the third Saturday of each month. It starts and finishes on the track at Tavistock College. The gentle three miler takes runners around the outskirts of the college and then around The Meadows before returning the way they came for a track circuit to the finish line. It is an open event and is pitched at local runners (seasoned or beginners).

Runners must be aged 8 older although we will allow younger children to take part if they are accompanied by an adult. £2 entry fee. Registration starts at the college from 8.30am on Saturday with the run beginning at 9.15am. More details are on the event's website http://www.skoolrun.events">www.skoolrun.events.