Reading Ac's Cross Country squad opened their league campaign of the Hampshire League at the traditonal opening venue of Farley Mount, Winchester. Yet again the weather was superb, with sun all day long, however the course was its usual demanding self and the Reading athletes responded well. The club had numerous top 10 finishes, the best coming from Jonathan Davies with a excellent 2nd place, with Callum Gregory, Julia Henderson and Beki Taylor all securing top 10 places.

Ladies manager, Tim Richardson had every reason to be delighted. Having seen yet another fantastic turn-out of athletes, they produced a very solid performance overall both individually and team wise.

The day kicked off with the U13 girls with 8 girls tackling the 2.4k course. Beforehand the race looked like it could be intriguing as quite realistically any of the 8 girls could have made the scoring team of 3, it proved to be so as all 8 girls finished finished inside the first half of the field. One of the performances of the day came in this race in the shape of Andi Vietz, who was making her first appearance for the club, however she signalled her intentions on the U13 team by making a confident start and finishing like a train to lead the girls home in a very pleasing 13th place, just edging out club mate Lauren Herrington in 14th, Herrington herself gave another confident display and showed tha as the season progresses she will certainly be challenging a top 10 place. Coming through to complete the scoring trio, was Katherine West, which taking into account recent form was no surprise. West produced her best run to date with a solid 20th position from a field of 68. This gave the girls 4th in the team standing's.

The U15 girls saw an impressive 13 athletes on the line. What was more impressive was that the first 5 home was all inside the top 20, in what was a field of 52. Beki Taylor started well, although maybe a little too well, however she held on well and when she paces the race more evenly, can quite realistaclly secure a top 4 spot, this time out though she still took a decent 7th position. Mollie Haines seems to revel in the cross country conditions and she made a big return to form, next home for the club in 14th. Cerys Aicken finished strong to edge out Sian Wakerley and Natasha Harris-White, who both gave good efforts, however Aicken's superior finishing speed saw her snatch 15th and complete the scoring team to give them a very pleasing 3rd.

The U17 ladies saw 8 girls taking part, Julia Henderson led them home again, with a solid display in 5th position. Hayley Randell produced a very pleasing race and can be pleased with her good effort of 10th. Naomi Forshaw was just one place back with a good effort in 11th to complete the scoring team and secure 3rd team position.

The Senior ladies was well supported also as 12 Reading vests faced the starter. Leading them home yet again was the ever consistant Susan Francis, who used her experience to progress through the field well and finish in 27th position. Shirley-Ann Dix was next home with another pleasing effort. She finished well coming through to take 34th. A close battle for the final scoring slot saw Rachel Phillips and Lucy Daniels neck a neck, but Daniels' almost custom sprint finish, just saw her edge her team mate to secure the final scoring slot in 39th, leaving the ladies in 7th team position.

The vet women however produced the best team result of the day, as Sue Francis occupied 4th in the veterans category and with Andrea Curson taking 11th and Caroline Stevens in 12th, the veteran team secured a pleasing 2nd position and could well challenge for the league title this season if they continue to perform as they did at Winchester.