THE junior boys' winner, Euan Short (Bishop's), produced the class act of the day at Hereford District Schools Cross Country Championships.

His smooth, effortless style soon established a significant lead over the talented James Upcott (Aylestone), Scott Read (Aylestone), Luke Mammett (Whitecross), Sam Harrison (Haywood) and James O'Connor (Whitecross).

This group of talented runners dominated a large field, with Aylestone winning the team event.

Equally dominant were the Year 7 victors. Haywood's Shane Moon and Darren Loader occupied the top two slots with Aidan Thomas (Whitecross), third.

Whitecross packed in well, easily winning the team event.

Vanessa Brann (John Kyrle) had to work hard in slippery underfoot conditions to hold off the challenge from Sarah-Jane Nichols (Aylestone) and the fast finishing Anna Mulderry (St Mary's).

Aylestone's girls packed well in the top half of the race for team victory.

E Vaughan (Haywood), a Year 7 winner in 2003, added the junior girls' title to her collection.

A controlled piece of front running was not tested by the remarkable sprint finish from Jess Lindsay (Hereford Cathedral) who, in the final 300 metres overhauled E Hines (Aylestone) and A Fowler (Bishop's).

With six finishers in the top 14 Hereford Cathedral were the undisputed team winners.

Vicky Frith (Hereford Cathedral) was determined to avenge Sunday's defeat by Kris Head (Haywood) and retained the intermediate girls' title with a confident piece of front running.

Pippa Blandford (Bishop's) hung on to third place from a rapidly improving Olivia Sawyer (Aylestone).

Bishop's easily won both the intermediate girls' and boys' team titles.

In the boys' race, Bishop's athletes occupied the top three slots. Alan Spencer held off a gutsy challenge from Tom Browning, closely followed by Dave Stewart, who outsprinted Nick Brown (St Mary's).

Hereford Cathedral seniors Chris Ford and Tilly Spencer won their respective races.