THURROCK Harriers’ Hayley Instance stormed to her first Essex Cross-Country League win at Chelmsford.

The Gable Hall School youngster dug deep to sprint clear of her rivals to win the under-13 girls race at Hylands Park.

Her older team-mate Gemma Holloway was the Harriers other stand-out performer on a day where 47 Thurrock athletes competed.

Holloway, 17, ran as a non-scorer in the senior women’s race because she is out of her age group and finished a fine second place, not far behind Great Britain international Lauren Deadman.

Thurrock Gazette:

Gemma Holloway was second in the senior women's race

Instance’s win also helped to ensure the under-13 team finish second in the team standings with Holly Dowsett-Ward (10th), Demi Briggs (14th) and Keira Scott (15th) all excelling.

Harry Parker was third in the under-13 boys race despite still being one of the younger athletes.

Just like the under-13 girls squad, the under-13 boys are becoming a force to be reckoned with.

On Saturday, they finished third in spite of losing Mason Hambledon at the start after he lost his shoe in the clinging mud. Ben Prior (16th), Finley Lowe (17th) and Henri Willett (37th) all ran strongly to complete the team. Ewan Gray (40th), Ross Livingstone (61st) and Alfie Furzedonne (63rd) also ran well.

Another placed athlete was 10-year-old Demi Eaves who was second in the under 11s race.

Her mum, Sara, was a county runner in her day so she has good genes!

Elliott Dowsett-Ward also made the top 10 in this age group.

The under-17 men finished third, led by a strong run from Jodie Meredith in 10th. Sam Smith (13th), Gary Cahill (23rd) and Tyler Chu (30th) made up the team. Luke Strudwicke was 39th. With Oliver Mann waiting to make his cross country debut, this team look a possibility for medals at the county championships in January.

In the under-15 girls, Amber Pullinger caught the eye with an excellent ninth place. She was supported by Lucy Ball 21st and Heather Peters 24th.

Taylor Newell had a good run in 15th place in the under-15 boys event. Reece Scott (26th), Jack Exley (38th) and Sarab Dhillon (50th) secured seventh for the team.

OTHER RESULTS

Under 17 girls – Brooke Mensah 20th, Anna Stancombe 39th.

Senior Women Jodie Farrell 40th (sixth in the FV45 category).

Senior men Alex Houghton 29th, Scott Rice 32nd, Don Lawless 73rd (5th V50), Keith Willett 75th, Jon Metcalf 97th, John Russell 105th, Jason Syrett 110th, Mick Bumstead 120th (2nd MV60), Martin Mack 123rd, Nigel Instance 139th, Rob Doyle 140th, Paul Mitchell 151, Ian Scott 155, Bernie Johnson 160.