Blackheath & Bromley athletes were out in force for the opening Kent Cross Country League races of the season at Swanley and enjoyed some considerable success. Two individual wins, two team wins and seven top three team placings represented a fine start to the season.

The Senior women finished third with Jennie Butler first home in 5th place, Carole Pennlington 13th and Jane Bradshaw 15th. With Jenny Neal 21st, Danielle Critchley 29th and Charlotte Stickings 30th the squad were also second in the six to score race.

It did not go quite so well in the Senior mens race in which the team finished in 5th place. Andy Rayner continued his return from injury in 12th while Alex Gibbins was 16th, Dave McKinlay 37th and under 20 Will Ruiz 42nd. There were not enough runners to feature in the 12 to score race.

Will chose not to contest his own age group race but one who did was Calvin Fuss who was 4th . Bethony Frost was 2nd in the Under 20 womens race.

Will Fuller won the Under 17 mens race in 16.04 just six seconds clear of runner up Richard Webb. They beat some good runners in the process and with Bailey Stickings 22nd they were second in the team race. The women were also runners up led home by Niamh Bridson Hubbard who was second followed by Charlotte Rhule in 7th and Anna Myers 8th.

The Club had five athletes in the top 10 in the under 15 girls race where Jessica Keene was 2nd, Naomi Kingston 4th, Kelsey Fuss 5th, Yasmin Austridge 6th and Georgina Taylor 8th. This ensured first place in the team contest.

First home for the boys was Marco Arcuri in 5th place and with Alex Wiltshire 7th and Josh Davidson 10th the Club were runners up in the team contest.

Biggest turn out of the day came in the under 13 boys race where B&B had thirteen finishers. Michael Eagling won the race in 10.30 while Peter Guy, complete with new haircut, was third, Henry James Cowie, two weeks after breaking the Club Hammer record, was fifth and George Pope sixth. They easily won the team race by 31 points.

The girls were led by Millie Smith who had a fine run to finish in second place. Imogen Meers was 12th and Lauren Goddard 13th to give the Club second place, and again the numbers were good with ten youngsters finishing.

Boys team manager Paul Austridge was delighted with these efforts “What stuck me today, other than great performances, was the great team spirit and support everyone gives each other.

Whether boy or girl, young or old, if you were wearing a Blackheath and Bromley vest you were getting loads of support all over the course. It was great to see.”

With many of the youngsters making their Club debuts it was a very promising start to the season and the squads will be looking to improve further at the next races at Tonbridge on the 26th of October. Before then, however, it is the National road relays next weekend at Sutton Coldfield.

For all the latest Club news visit the website at www.bandbhac.org.uk