Team Kennet hosted the rearranged round 1 Basingstoke Cross Country League at Downe Grange in Basingstoke, over a technical and muddy course otherwise conditions were ideal for cross country running, first up was under 9 girls, TK fielded only 4 girls first home was Isabella Chapman in 6th place, next home was Florence Randall-Bird 10th with Bella Dearns 13th and Molly Bell 25th. The under 9 Boys were next and a superb race developed by two TK runners with Chester Bailey coming home 1st and Lenny Wyvill 2nd, Idris Gaye battled well to finish 8th and with William Winter 11th secured a team victory, Archie Pilling was next home in 15th and Rory Ridler 23^rd.

The under 11 girls were next to start which saw the clubs biggest turnout, Ella Larkin went off from the gun to control the race to come home in first place, Praiya Foreman ran a superb race to finish in 2nd place, Matilda Saunders was next in 5th place and with Alice Stratford 8th the team scored another victory, Ella Parsons ran a brilliant race to finish 9th, Cecily Wyer was 24th, Ayala Wyvill 33rd, Evelyn Barker 38th and Darcy Scaplehorn 39^th.  The under 11 boys only saw two from the club due to illness and other sports, Joshua Kuijten was 26th and Gethin Thomas 35th in a field of over 60.

The under 13 girls saw another winner, this time Harriet Saunders battled through the course to take victory, Olivia Bentley hung in well to come home in 4th followed by Tilly Clare 6th and Ella McDonald just behind in 7th which was good enough for another team victory, Affra Bailey was 13^th.  The under 13 boys ran well to pack in their race with over 50 taking part, Harry Smith took control of the race after a few minutes to gradually pull away from a small group to win, Samuel Atkins came through the field to finish 12th, with Josh Bailey 14th and Henry Bell 15th saw the team finish 3rd on the day, Elliot Bell was next home in 22nd and Ben Doherty 24^th.

The under 15 girls saw Anna Hall finish in 3rd place and Ella Cronk 12th The Under 15 boys Rueben Kuijten came home in 8th place.

Team Kennet were in full action in the Basingstoke Junior Cross Country League being held at Wellesley Woods in Aldershot over a much boggy and muddy course.

Lovely Spring Sun greeted all the athletes in the afternoons event, first up was the under 9 girls over the 1400m course, Isabella Chapman ran a great race to finish in 7th place, and Bella Dearns wasn’t too far behind in 10th place, the team came 3rd on the day with Gracie Williams 13th and Annabelle Jones in 15th.

The under 9 Boys had already wrapped up the team Trophy, but yet another solid display of team running made sure they took first team on the day to remain unbeaten, this time it was Matthew Jones coming home in 4th place in the Yellow Vest, with Lenny Wyvill 5th, Idris Gaye 7th and Chester Bailey 8th, other runners were Archie Pilling 14thand Rory Ridler 18th, this meant at the presentations Chester Bailey won overall and the boys won the team Trophy.

The under 11 girls were next to start over 2400m, Ella Larkin went off like a rocket to lead all the way round the course to come home as overall winner winning all three races, she also helped the team to win overall with her team mates Praiya Foreman coming home in a brilliant 3rd place to take 2nd overall, Matilda Saunders was 5th and Alice Stratford took 9th place, Olivia Kwit was next in 21stand Evelyn Barker 38th.

The under 11 Boys saw the biggest field of the day with well over 50 runners, Percey Reed was the clubs first runner home in 28th, followed by Joshua Kuijten 31st, Gethin Thomas 42nd and Jacob Williams 44th with Toby Clay 49th

The under 13 Girls again like the u11s, already sealed the team victory, they made sure they kept unbeaten all season, it was Olivia Bentley that took full control to win the race over the second lap to win her first cross country race, Penelope Lyth ran one of her best cross country races to come home in 5th, with Matilda Clare 6th and Ella McDonald 7th this was enough to win, Affra Bailey was next home in 12th and Harriet Saunders 13th, Harriet Saunders took overall individual win and Olivia Bentley taking runners up spot.

The under 13 boys were next to race, Harry Smith kept up his pressure around the course which paid off to come home in 2nd place this was good enough to take 2nd individual overall, Samuel Atkins was 11th, Josh Bailey 13th and Fynn Sanderson 16thtook 4th team on the day, and JJ Mercer came home in 18thout of nearly 40 runners.

The under 15 Boys and Girls run together, in the Girls race Amelie Tayton came home in 8th and Ella Cronk 9th and in the Boys, Rueben Kuijten was 9th. Although Anna Hall didn’t run, she took 2nd place overall in the league.

Team Kennet were in action in the last round of the Basingstoke Junior Cross Country League, with several awards already wrapped up a good turn out at Down Grange in Basingstoke was needed to boost the awards in the individuals.

On the day conditions were perfect, no wind or rain and underfoot was soft but very good for running on. The under 9 Girls were up first, not  like the last round Praiya Foreman decided to take it on from clubmate Matilda Saunders, she opened up a 10m gap from the first 400m, both worked hard all the way around the course to keep their placings as they came in 1^st and 2^nd, meaning both Girls had to settle for equal first in the individual League, next home was Cecily Wyer showing great improvement from 2 weeks ago and then for the team win Matilda Hogg, this was enough for the Girls to wrap up the under 9 team League, other runners were Delilah Tippett 14^th, Gracie Williams 16^th, Evelyn Barker 17^th and Evelyn Pedersen 20^th.

Next up  was the under 9 Boys, they were in the lead in the teams going in to this match, so a win would secure the league, Tk Boys made sure they packed well Chester Bailey running a superb race for 2^nd place, Lenny Wyvill improving from last race next home in 5^th place, William Moloney 8^th and Idris Gaye 9^th looked good for a win but Basingstoke just edged the club in to 2^nd place, and the boys having to settle for runners up in the league. Next home for the u9 boys were Max Burt 20^th , Jacob Williams 21^st, Zachary Melvill-Smith 27^th and Sebastian Lauder-Clarke 28^th

The Under 11 girls were next to start, already secured the Team League, the girls wanted to make it 4 out of 4, they made sure of this with another brilliant win from Ella Larkin to be crowned under 11 champion, Another great run by Penelope Lyth finishing 3^rd as she has done in all the other matches secured 3^rd overall, Matilda Clare was next home in 7^th place, securing 4^th overall, then Ella McDonald in 8^th place for the team win. As all season the under 11 girls pack in very well, Affra Bailey led a late charge to come home in 15^th, Orlagh Stratford 16^th, Alice Stratford 17^th and Elodie Burdett 18^th saw the B team home in 3^rd place, other girls were Ella Parsons 20^th, Sophia Barnett 31^st, Matilda Pedersen 33^rd, Ayla Wyvill 38^th, Grace Hogg 40^th and Megan Jones 41^st

The under 11 Boys were chasing individual placing awards, Samuel Atkins decided to go out hard to keep him in the top 3, this he did staying in second place for 2/3 thirds of the race, to be over taken by Malik Gaye who came home in 2^nd place and take runners up in the individuals, Sam Atkins came in 3^rd taking 3^rd place overall with Fynn Sanderson 14^th and JJ Mercer 15^th the team were placed 3^rd on the day. Other runners were Thomas Williams 17^th, Toby clay 22^nd, Joshua Kuijten 35^th, Joshua Bailey 36^th and Miles Phoenix 42^nd

The under 13 girls made sure of wrapping up the League team title, winning their 3^rd match in a row, Harriet Saunders set of at a steady pace then to open out to secure her 4^th straight win and take overall individual title, New Comer Oliver Bentley made a great debut run coming home in 5^th place, Jessie McCurtin was 6^th, Anna Hall 7^th and Emerald Hill Sawyer 8^th saw the girls take the win on the day, other runners were Ella Cronk 12^th

The under 13 Boys Harry Smith pushed hard to finish in 5^th place as per last match, Oscar Larkin finished strong to come home in 6^th place with Elliot Bell 10^th and Henry Bell 12^th made sure off the team coming 3^rd on the day. Next home was Noah Lauder Clarke 15^th, Harry Barnett 17^th and Rueben Kuijten 18^th.

The under 15 girls, individual placings were wrapped up, Charlotte Bailey wanted to make it 4 wins in a row, which she did, the girls had a team this time with Amelie Tayton making her debut for the club in 9^th and Lola Mitcham taking 12^th for the girls to take 2^nd place overall on the day and in the team standings.

Ethan Kuijten wrapped up two wins in a row to secure the under 15 title in a strong run over the undulating course.

Apologies for the late report however see below final results from the Oxford Cross Country Match 5 at Henley Showground.

Under 11 Girls – 6th Penelope Lyth, 16th Ella Parsons

Under 13 Girls – 17th Emerald Hill Sawyer

Under 15 Boys – 6th Ethan Kuijten

Senior Men – Andy Colling 74th, Mitch Poustie 139th, Phil Baker 141st, Tim Smith 156th, Simon Hockaday 202nd and Simon Gale 223rd.

Senior Ladies – 16th Sue Francis, 69th Katie Reynolds, 116th Emily Copeman

Overall standings for the 5 round series. To feature you need to have run 4 of the 5 races

Under 11 Girls – Ella Parsons 19th

Under 13 Girls – Emerald Hill Sawyer 8th

Under 15 Boys- Ethan Kuijten 6th

Men V40 – Mitch Poustie 31st, Phil Baker 32nd, Tim Smith 46th

Men V50 – Andy Colling 7th, Simon Hockaday 42nd, Simon Gale 44th

Ladies V45 – Sue Francis 4th, Katie Reynolds 14th and Anna Riggall 27th

A big thank you to all the athletes who competed this winter and for Simon Hockaday for sharing the driving duties.

Looking forward to next year, any senior men or ladies who would like to join us, we have a tent, a flag and hot drinks and snacks for after the races and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere

If you sign up as a senior, we would be willing for you to enter your son or daughter in the junior races.

Team Kennet Cross country team made the trip to Cirencester on Sunday for round 2 of the Oxford Cross Country league
After icy conditions in the week leading up to the event, runners were faced with persistent drizzle/rain and lots of mud
Cirencester is a tough course but it was great to see over 700 athletes take part in the days races.
For TK in preliminary results
Ella Parson 23rd in the U11 girls
Emerald Hill-Sawyer 9th in the under 13 girls. Harry Smith 14th in the U13 boys
Great effort by the juniors in some horrible weather.

In the Senior Mens race Andy Colling continued his fine form finishing 92nd and 1st in the Male 60 category
Mitch Poustie was next in 178th, Tim Smith 208th, Simon Hockaday 235th and Simon Gale 245th.

The ladies faced a tricky race as the course was really cut up for their run. Katie Reynolds was first home for TK in 80th and 6th in her age catergory. Georgina McCabe was just behind in 93rd and Anna Riggall next in 129th.

Big thanks to all for making the journey and supporting TK cross country
Big thanks also to Joe Gale for “volunteering” to marshal and standing in the rain for a few hour hours.

Team Kennet Juniors were in action in Force in the third round of the Destination Cross Country League at a new venue in Hartney Witney, over a fast, twisting and slight inclines with glorious sun shine for all.

The Under 9 Girls went first with 9 Team Kennet girls setting of, Ella Larkin led from the gun to take full control of the race to win by 100m, she now tops the individual points, another great run from Maisie McCurtin came in 2^nd place to put her second overall, then some fantastic packing from Matilda Saunders 6th and Orlagh Stratford 7^th saw the A team home in 1^st place and are now guaranteed overall Team Victory retaining their own title, the B team was led by Alice Stratford 8^th, not far behind was Elodie Burdett 10^th then a gap to Evie Kearney 20^th and Evelyn Barker 21^st bringing the team home in 3^rd place, Sophie Barnett was 23^rd

Next race was u9 boys Gethin Thomas was first home in 12^th place, with Joshua Kuijten 15^th, Max Burt 17^th and Seb Lauder-Clarke 19^th bringing team home in 4^th place, Alex Cameron was 23^rd and Jacob Williams 27^th

The Under 11 Girls took a fantastic Team Win, Quinn Joyce ran her socks of to finish in 2^nd place, a Good pack of TK Girls then followed led by Harriet Saunders 5^th, Ella McDonald 6^th and Matilda Clare 7^th for the scoring Team, Penelope Lyth led the second team home in 8^th place with Penelope Gorbold 23^rd.

The under 11 Boys saw 13 TK runners, they managed 3^rd team on the day, Oskar Larkin put in an impressive race to come home in 3^rd place, with Euan Jones not far behind in 6^th, Harry Smith was next home in 13^th and new comer Liam Neil 16^th. The clutch of other TK boys were Elliot Bell 19^th, Luke Stiles 20^th, Malik Gaye 22^nd, Henry Bell 23^rd, Samuel Atkins 24^th, Ben Doherty 27^th, Joshua Bailey 44^th, Lestyn Thomas 53^rd and Alfie Cronk 58^th.

The under 13 girls team also took the team win. Amber Stiles and Charlotte Bailey led the race for three quarters the way round to finish 2^nd and 3^rd respectively on a tight finish only 10 metres separating the girls, Emerald Hill-Sawyer 11^th and Chloe O’Reardon 12^th for the scoring team, Ella Cronk came 14^th.

The under 13 Boys team were 4^th, Aaron Carter was clubs first runner home in 13^th closely followed by Ben Daley 14^th and Marlowe Barber 16^th and Charlie Adams 21^st making up the team, Harry Barnett 22^nd led the second team home with Frank Edwards 23^rd and Rueben Kuijten 34^th making up the team.

The under 15 boys was a great race, Ethan Kuijten battled with top two to keep in contention but had to settle for 3^rd place, Max Adams worked his way through the field for 4^th place and Elliot Murphy came 5^th to help the team home in 2^nd place.

Five fixtures as follows, on the first Sunday of every month:-

6/11/22 Newbury Showground

4/12/22 Cirencester Park

8/1/23 Shotover Park, Oxford

5/2/23 Cotswold Farm Park

5/3/22 Henley Showground

We are entering Senior men/ladies, U20 and under 17 runners

The main change this year is the introduction of athlete fees payable by each runner

To keep the league running and to reflect the increasing cost of venues, there is a fee of £20 per athlete for the season, £15 for under 17. Descending by £4 or £3 per match when you register. There will be no car parking fees at the venue