FOLLOWING the disappointment of the Carmarthenshire Primary Schools Cross Country Championships being called off three weeks ago due to bad weather, there was some better news a few days later as the Brianne Secondary Schools got their cross country league campaign underway at Ysgol Dyffryn Taf in Whitland.
Open to those in years 7, 8, 9 and 10, the seven schools represented in this league feature Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, Ammanford, Ysgol Maes Y Gwendraeth, Cefneithin, Ysgol Bro Dinefwr, Llandeilo, Ysgol Bro Myrddin, Carmarthen, Queen Elizabeth School, Carmarthen, Ysgol Dyffryn Taf, Whitland and Llandovery College.
303 youngsters took part across six races beginning with the year 7 athletes competing at secondary level for the first time through to the year 8 and the combined year 9 and 10 boys and girls events.
Frances Mackie (QE High) was the first clear winner of the new season taking the year 7 girls win. She was followed in second by Erin Morgan (Bro Myrddin) before a closer finish between Ffion Evans (Dyffryn Taf), Nel Davies (Maes Y Gwendraeth) and Mali Garland (Maes Y Gwendraeth).
It was more of the same in the year 7 boys where Bro Myrddin’s Ifan Bowen stretched away to take victory ahead of Harry Billingham (Dyffryn Taf). QE High, Bro Myrddin and Bro Dinefwr filled third, fourth and fifth thanks to Rory Gravelle, Tomos Lewis and Jake Lynock.
After coming first and second last year, Amy Greatrick (QE High) and Keira Carmody (Dyffryn Taf) stepped up to Year 8 distances but the result turned out to be the same as they got off to a good start. Club Sprinters Sophia-Reid Thomas (Bro Myrddin) and Jessica Lee (Dyffryn Taf) were the next two in with Gwenllian Llwyd (Bro Myrddin) completing the top five.
It was a Queen Elizabeth double in race three and four as Jack Thomas was another to continue his fine form from 2017. His training partners and Bro Myrddint trio Rogan Cox, Steffan Davies and Zach Elvy were second, third and fifth. Sion Davies (Dyffryn Aman) occupied fourth spot.
The Year 9 and 10 Girls’ opening race was won by Llandovery College’ Kasia Cook. Maes Y Gwendraeth’s Tanwen Moon and Clara James crossed second and third, whilst fourth position went to Sara Price (Bro Dinefwr) and Amber McIsaac (QE High) fifth.
Carmarthen Harriers’ distance runners Dafydd Jones, Liam Edwards, Frank Morgan ran side by side throughout as they picked up full points for Bro Myrddin to secure joint first. Joining them in the Y9/10 leading pack were Scott Price (Bro Dinefwr) and Ioan Cressey-Rodgers (Bro Myrddin).
Looking ahead to the second league fixture, it will be held at Ysgol Bro Myrddin’s sports field on Tuesday, October 23, starting at 1pm.
Llandeilo and Ammanford will be the other venues in November and January, where the 2018/19 school champions will be confirmed.
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