HORWICH'S three internationals helped the club secure sixth place in the British Fell Relay Championship and third English club.

The club's best placing of third was 10 years ago and they had high hopes this year with half of the team representing their countries in the recent World Mountain Championships in Bulgaria, despite the strong field.

Nick Leigh, recovering from a cold on the first leg, and then the Irish international pairing of Ian Conroy and James Kevan on the tough second leg set Horwich up well with it all to go for in the last two legs.

Danny Hope and Joe Mercer delivered the fifth fastest third leg, using orienteering skills to pull the Harriers up several places.

Then on the final leg, continuing a great season, Chris Farrell excelled in winning the leg and beating full-time athlete Tom Owens, consolidating Horwich in sixth place – just over 20 minutes behind the winning club Dark Peak from Derbyshire.

The juniors this week turned to cross country with some success at Leigh Sports Village.

The under-13 girls' team of Isabella Merritt, Milly Lever and Freya Whittle finished first and were matched by the u13 boys' team of Matthew Mair, Matthew Flatters and Toby Middleton, who also finished first.

The u15 boys' team of Lewis Wilkes, Robert Seddon and Luke Brindle finished second, while the u11 boys' and girls' teams also turned in commendable performances.

Also in cross country at Wythenshawe Park in Manchester, a big field turned out and Horwich, looking for a second consecutive promotion to the top flight, finished 10th in the senior men’s league and third in the vets' league.

For the women, Debra Campbell had the best result with 10th place at Leigh Sports Village in the Red Rose Cross Country League.

Horwich's youngest squad has this year entered the Greater Manchester Sportshall League and last week they finished second at the Manchester Regional Arena in the first round behind Stockport but ahead of Sale.

They are now looking forward to the second round on November 13 at the same venue where coach Gemma Stokes will be looking for more bright performances based on the dedication of the squad she trains each week at the Bolton Arena track.

The fruits of the junior coaching programme were also seen this week in parkrun as Isaac Battye was second home at Haigh Woodland.

For the seniors, Paul Muller and Richard Howarth were second home at Lytham Hall and Cuerden Valley respectively. Lukas Siska was first home at Bolton for the second consecutive week.

For the vets on the half marathon road, Tony Hesketh was in a big 20,000 field of runners in Greece and had to walk the first kilometre due to the sheer numbers but still got second prize at V65.

Rob Jackson stayed nearer home for the Manchester Half Marathon and took sixth place at V50 and 218th overall.

Horwich RMI Harriers results: Blackpool Autumn Breaker 10k – 4th Paul Muller 36:45; Thessaloniki Half Marathon – 859th Tony Hesketh 1:47:35; Manchester Half Marathon – 218th Rob Jackson 1:24:23, 1,328th Geoff Leech 1:39:49, 2,048th Gemma Stokes 1:45:09, 3,932nd Glynne Lever 1:56:40; Manchester Area Cross Country (Wythenshawe) – 30th Simon Pymm 36:07, 33rd Alastair Murray 36:22, 40th Paul Massey 37:04, 43rd David Jackson 37:25, 97th Martyn Bell 39:51, 153rd Gary Chadderton 41:38, 178th Ian Hepburn 42:48, 188th Doug Fleming 43:09, 300th David Barnes 48:51, 338th Lawrence Pinnell 51:01; Red Rose Cross Country (Leigh) – Ladies – 10th Debra Campbell 22:24, 51st Clare McKenna 25:57; Men – 25th David Milliken 40:20, 123rd Michael Kay 47:52, 139th Steve Jackson 48:46, 150th Tony Hesketh 50:23, 162nd Mark Swindell 50:38.