Both Basildon and Southend Athletic Clubs continued their run of team successes when the second round of Essex League cross-country matches were held at Hockley.

Southend, hosts on the day, again won the two team events they'd triumphed in at Basildon on the first event -- the under-15 boys and under-17 girls -- but this time also added the under-13 girls prize to their collection.

For the new towners it was again the under-15 girls who emerged with team honours.

Hayley's comets - Basildon AC were helped to under-15 girls team honours by Hayley Moore (left) and Hayley Stibbs (right) Picture: TERENCE BUNCH

Some athletes missed competing completely, or took things a little easier, due to the scheduled AAA Young Athletes Road Relay at Sutton Coldfield the following day, but this proved unnecessary as the Midland event was postponed due to the storm force winds of Sunday.

There are hopes that it will be rescheduled for next Spring.

While Thurrock's Andrew Livingstone won the boys' under-15 individual honours on 14 mins. 20 secs, Southend's team success was led by Adam Hickey (2nd 15.18) and Mark Bailey (3rd 15.19). Thurrock's Paul Bumstead was fourth (15.34) with Southend's David Crichton fifth (15.34) and Chris Lee completing the scoring team a place back. They took the team prize on 16.

With top individual star Sarah Luck (Havering Mayesbrook) not competing, the under-17 girls, who run with the under-20s, moved up a spot generally from their placings in the Basildon opener.

Leading the Southend team to victory was Nikita Aspinell (3rd 18.03) with good support from Kristina Marshall (7th but 6th under-17), Sam Daly and Sarah Jeffery. They won on 32 points.

Published Friday November 1, 2002

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