Havering, Redbridge pupils shine at Essex Schools’ Cross-Country Championships

Havering's Ben Davis was fifth in the senior boys' race at the Essex Schools' Cross-Country Championships at Colchester's Hilly Fields (Image: Archant)

Redbridge’s Ahmed Abdulle took centre stage once again as he was crowned senior boys’ champion at the Essex Schools’ Cross-Country Championships in sunny Colchester.

And Havering saw five of their athletes secure top-six finishes and automatic selection for the National finals in Nottingham in a solid all-round effort from their squad.

Ilford member Abdulle produced a controlled run to come home 30 seconds ahead of the field in a winning time of 20mins 33secs, with Havering’s Ben Davis (21.25) not far behind in fifth place.

Havering’s Isobel Ives had to settle for second in the senior girls’ race, clocking 16.59, as Sarah Wilson (18.54) also made the top 10, and Yusuf Bizimana was runner-up in the intermediate boys’ race in 18.00 as Tom Keevil (18.29) placed fifth and John Fennessey (19.12) ninth.

Jessica Mitchell, of Havering, was fourth in the inter girls’ race in 17.06, as Katie Mitchell (18.28) also made the top 10.

And Redbridge’s Aoibheann Pearce secured a fine sixth place in the junior girls’ race in 14.15, with team-mate Jordan Hinds (14.22) not far behind in ninth place.

Mungo Prior of Redbridge was seventh in the junior boys’ race in 16.20, with Havering’s Harry Jones two places back in 16.23.

Athletes securing a top-20 placing will now compete in the Inter Counties Championships on February 6, when they will hope to persuade selectors to add them to the county squad for the Nationals in March.

Selected results – junior girls: 6 Aoibheann Pearce (R) 14.15; 9 Jordan Hinds (R) 14.22; 12 Isabelle Jopson (H) 14.30; 13 Grace Dukelow (H) 14.33; 21 Molly Bath (H) 14.46; 22 Rosie Brown (H) 14.51; 36 Poppy Ellis (H) 15.23; 40 Molly Sweetman 15.46; 41 Lilly Bath (H) 15.52; 44 Jasmine Offiler (R) 16.04; 49 Irish Branden (R) 16.32; others: Alisha Langdon (N) 17.37; Ana Caroimari (N) 18.09; Maria Da Silva (N) 20.20.

Intermediate girls: 4 Jessica Mitchell (H) 17.06; 10 Katie Mitchell (H) 18.28; 14 Elise Clark (R) 18.37; 15 Sophie Rand (H) 18.44; 20 Ella Henry (R) 19.42; 27 Laurelle Brant (R) 20.36; 37 Megan Bradley (R) 23.14; 38 Eugienne Mulumba (R) 23.15.

Senior girls: 2 Isobel Ives (H) 16.59; 8 Sarah Wilson (H) 18.54; 12 Lois Wyatt (H) 20.31; 15 Georgia Phillips (H) 21.19.

Junior boys: 7 Mungo Prior (R) 16.20; 9 Harry Jones (H) 16.23; 11 Ben Enye (H) 16.42; 16 Francesco Monti (R) 16.51; 17 Faaris Patel (R) 16.53; 23 Oliver Woods (H) 17.06; 24 Dan McGill (H) 17.10; 25 Reece Harrcott (H) 17.11; Daniel Bryant (R) 17.21; 32 George Hill (H) 17.27; 34 Edward Laughlin (H) 17.34; Gabriel Weedon (N) 17.52; Henry Houghton (N) 18.25; Alex Deery (R) 19.08.

Intermediate boys: 2 Yusuf Bizimana(H) 18.00; 5 Tom Keevil (H) 18.29; 9 John Fennessey (H) 19.12; 14 Jack Rice (H) 19.24; 16 Oliver Morter (H) 19.29; 17 Joe Clark (R) 19.34; 20 Lewis Debenham (H) 19.43; 24 Sam Atkins (H) 20.11; 27 Oliver Bath (H) 20.40; 37 Aaron Bennett (H) 21.07; 40 Adil Iqbal (R) 21.24; 50 Oliver Marshall (R) 23.55.

Senior boys: 1 Ahmed Abdulle (R) 20.33; 5 Ben Davis (H) 21.25; 13 Matt Braybrook (H) 22.38; 25 Craig Jenkins (R) 25.36; 29 Abukar Yusuf 30.22.