Southend's under-17 men played the starring role for the seaside club in the final match of the Essex Cross Country League.

They were on top of the game yet again to dominate on the day and finish the campaign on top of the team standings.

Not only that but Mark Bailey, having contested every match, was the season's overall winner, with runner-up David Crichton and Chris Lee filling the other top-three spots to complete a stunningly successful season for the squad.

The under-13 boys was the only other group of young athletes to produce a full team for the last match.

The squad of Thomas Smith (17th), Lewis Bickford (18th), David Smale (19th) and Joshua Crompton (24th) produced a good display of pack running.

Since three of them - Smith, Bickford and Crompton - are relatively recent signings, there was ever only an outside chance of this age-group finishing in a top spot so their sixth place is excellent.

The under-15 girls were represented by Natasha Bailey (fourth), Nikki Baynes (sixth) and Nicole Kelly(17th) who would have been in with a shout of a team medal had a fourth girl been competing.

Nearly as close to the medals would have been the boys' under-15 team.

A big boost to the points score has been provided by Ben Hunter, whose third place here left him in sixth overall for the season.

His two compatriots were Robert Taylor (21st) and Michael Jones (24th) who have only a couple of races under their belts with the club.

As second year under-15s next season, prospects are very bright for this squad --with a fourth man.

Under-17 women Carran Lefever, Nikita Aspinell and Lauren Starr finished in close order; 11th, 13th and 19th respectively.

Published Friday January 16, 2004

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