Thorp striding clear

Photo: Chris Sunderland

RUN FOR IT: Pupils jostle for position in the Years One/Two race.

THORP are setting a breakneck pace in the Oldham Primary Schools Cross-Country League.

They hold a big lead over Hodge Clough (218pts) after the latest round at Stoneleigh Park.

Ryan Slater, Harry Wain and Adam Boyd were first, second and third respectively as Thorp ruled supreme in the Years Five/Six boys’ race.

Thorp were also to the fore in the Years Five/ Six event for girls, with Lois Greenwood and Abbie Greenwood clinching a one-two for the school. Nicole Morrell, of Firbank, was third.

Mills Hill were dominant in the Years Three/Four race for girls.

They boasted the winner in Sophie Hall and Rebecca Kershaw, who was third. Tara Ellaby and Saskia Baxendale were also among the leading group of athletes for Mills Hill.

Guy Hughes, of St Chadds, took the laurels in the Years Three/Four boys’ section, from Callum Bradbury (Watersheddings) and Ben Manton, also of St Chadds, in third.

But St Chadds had to settle for second place overall behind Thorp, who had Alfie Baldwin (sixth), Max Whittaker (ninth), Ben Ivell (13th) and Harrison Wiener (18th) in the top 20 finishers.

Deanna Ashton, of Firbank, was the first girl to cross the line in the Years One/Two race at Stoneleigh Park, and Watersheddings pupil Thomas Payne led the boys home, from Nathan Walker (Hodge Clough).

The league, which consists of six meetings and concludes in February, is backed by the Oldham Metro Rotary, who provide financial support to purchase medals and trophies, and stewards for the races.