Athletics

TODD Leckie from Ringmer Community College had another brilliant cross country run in the South East Schools Inter-County match at the Beacon School, Banstead on Saturday.

Although in his first year in the Schools Intermediate age group, Todd gave a good account of himself particularly as he took a tumble at the start of the race and was at the back of the field as the runners started the large lap after some 800 metres. Todd, however, kept his head and gradually worked his way through the field, eventually finishing a splendid 21st - the third Sussex runner to finish - quite an achievement against the strength of the Surrey, Kent, Essex and Hampshire counties, who are all much larger than Sussex. Todd clocked 17min. 55sec. for the 4.5km. race

Rob Mullett from Seaford Head, who was still a little travel weary following a week in Tenerife, which did not include much training, completed the course but his 72nd placing in 20min. 03sec. was not a true reflection of his real ability. Like Todd, however, Rob still has another year in this age group.

In the junior boys 3km. race Hailsham's Matt Southam and Scott Harris both had good runs and were third and fourth home for Sussex - Matt placing a fine 19th in 18min. 25sec. and Scott 31st in 18min. 42sec.

Neither Ringmer's Craig Ivemy or Ditchling's Jack Vail, who won the Sussex Schools Intermediate and senior titles at Crawley earlier this month, made the trip to Banstead. Both are expected to be racing in the National Cross country championships at Bristol this coming weekend and will then be looking towards the All England Schools championships at Chelmsford in two weeks time.

qLewes Old Grammar School teacher, Iain Turner, warmed up for his assault on the British Veterans crown at Glasgow's Kelvin Hall next month, with a quartet of excellent performances at Crystal Palace in the Southern Counties Indoor Veterans competition. Iain won the shot putt with a throw of 9 metres 14, finished second in the long jump in 5-01, second in the triple jump in 9-50 and fourth in the 60 metres in 8.2 seconds.TODD Leckie from Ringmer Community College had another brilliant cross country run in the South East Schools Inter-County match at the Beacon School, Banstead on Saturday.

Although in his first year in the Schools Intermediate age group, Todd gave a good account of himself particularly as he took a tumble at the start of the race and was at the back of the field as the runners started the large lap after some 800 metres. Todd, however, kept his head and gradually worked his way through the field, eventually finishing a splendid 21st - the third Sussex runner to finish - quite an achievement against the strength of the Surrey, Kent, Essex and Hampshire counties, who are all much larger than Sussex. Todd clocked 17min. 55sec. for the 4.5km. race

Rob Mullett from Seaford Head, who was still a little travel weary following a week in Tenerife, which did not include much training, completed the course but his 72nd placing in 20min. 03sec. was not a true reflection of his real ability. Like Todd, however, Rob still has another year in this age group.

In the junior boys 3km. race Hailsham's Matt Southam and Scott Harris both had good runs and were third and fourth home for Sussex - Matt placing a fine 19th in 18min. 25sec. and Scott 31st in 18min. 42sec.

Neither Ringmer's Craig Ivemy or Ditchling's Jack Vail, who won the Sussex Schools Intermediate and senior titles at Crawley earlier this month, made the trip to Banstead. Both are expected to be racing in the National Cross country championships at Bristol this coming weekend and will then be looking towards the All England Schools championships at Chelmsford in two weeks time.

qLewes Old Grammar School teacher, Iain Turner, warmed up for his assault on the British Veterans crown at Glasgow's Kelvin Hall next month, with a quartet of excellent performances at Crystal Palace in the Southern Counties Indoor Veterans competition. Iain won the shot putt with a throw of 9 metres 14, finished second in the long jump in 5-01, second in the triple jump in 9-50 and fourth in the 60 metres in 8.2 seconds.