THE third round of the Red Rose Cross Country series at Leverhulme Park saw a host of Harriers in action.

The most promising results for the Blue Vests emerged from race six with new recruit Laura Lombard collecting bronze on debut out of the 118 field.

Just behind in seventh was newly-crowned Central Lancashire Grand Prix female champion Nicky Cartridge, while Maya Erzan-Essien was second under-17 and Katie Oakley third u20. All led their respective teams to silver.

For the men, Karl Darcy was consistent again as third of the 233 runners to make it a three-way shootout for the title at Rossendale in three weeks’ time.

John Knowles was magnificent in 11th as second counter, confirming his victory in the M45 series after three successive victories, though he also faces a showdown with Blackburn’s M40 Chris Davies for the overall vets’ title.

Matt Walker eclipsed fellow u20 Declan Toomey, with Frazer Jardine making a cautious return from injury, while M50 Mark Wolstencroft debuted well in the discipline before club chairperson Scott Whittle, more at home hurdling barriers on the track than muddy hills and water crossings, edged in front of Lee Petch to bookend the 17-strong squad after Jonny Kay pulled up injured.

For the juniors, the u11 boys turned out in force again with Sam Hazelwood fifth counter and improving strongly from the last outing.

Hannah Swales and Lawrence Britton did well as second counters in their respective age groups while Emily Petch and Molly Philbin were superb as sole representatives in theirs.

BUH&AC results: U11 Boys – 5 Team 42 pts – Jack Kingdon 7:16, Harvey Kenny 7:24, Oisin Behan 7:38, Harry Aldred 7:41, Sam Hazelwood 7:50, Herbie Kay 7:56, Oliver McNulty 8:01, Vincent Worcester 8:17, Charlie Parker 8:37, Henry Worcester 8:38, Sam Philbin 8:43, Josh Bentley-Hughes 8:54, Marcus Valentine 8:55, Matthew Wilkinson 9:05, Alexander Stokes 10:08; U11 Girls – 4 Team 45 pts – Lily Philbin 7:45, Hannah Swales 8:20, Poppy Dunne 8:37, Idowu Taiwo 9:16; U13 Boys – 6 Team 56 pts – Ben Pickford 12:46, Laurence Britton 13:21, Sam Aldred 14:05, Luke Greenhalgh 17:15, Ben Dewhurst 17:21; U13 Girls – Emily Petch 16:54; U15 Boys – Lewis Aldred 15:11, Adam Akik 16:00; U15 Girls – Molly Philbin 19:08; U17 Girls – 2 Team 23 pts – Maya Erzan-Essien 23:36, Rachel Bailey 24:47, Leah Rushworth 30:35, Ellie Forrest 32:58; Senior Women – 2 Team 24 pts – Laura Lombard 22:22, Nicola Cartridge 23:02, Katie Oakley 23:57, Olivia Kearney 25:27, Mercedes Mercer 26:04, Krystina Dewhurst 37:17; Senior Men – 2 Team 129 pts – Karl Darcy 36:31, John Knowles 38:09, Matthew Walker 38:23, Declan Toomey 40:09, Frazer Jardine 41:26, Dominic Gavin 42:01, Chris Povey 42:46, Rhys Francis 43:34, Chris Pickford 44:04, Mark Wolstencroft 44:24, Paul Trainor 46:17, Stephen Bonney 46:22, Ken Fowler 49:16, Paul Philbin 51:00, Ato Erzan-Essien 51:57, Scott Whittle 54:53, Lee Petch 55:19.