READING Athletic Club’s Under 17 men recorded their best Hampshire League result of the season at Popham on Saturday, but still could finish only second behind Aldershot.

Meanwhile, improved performances from the under-strength U15 and U13 boys saw them each finish fifth.

In cold damp conditions on the testing Popham course, Berks Bucks & Oxon champion Eddie Steveni was soon among the leading group in the 5km U17 race.

However, by halfway Luke Van Oudtshoorn of Aldershot had established a clear lead, and Steveni eventually lost out in the race for the minor placings to finish in a very creditable fifth place in a time of 15m 55secs.

After struggling somewhat in the early stages, Nick Wiltshire worked hard to pull himself up to sixth place, recording 16.11, and the scoring team was completed by Joseph Mott, whose strong run gained him 10th position in 16.47.

Not far behind in 12th came the improving Tom Nike with a time of 16.53, and Ben Rollings fought hard for his 29th place in 18.05.

Reading’s total of 21 points gave them a clear second place in the team contest behind Aldershot and ahead of Portsmouth, leaving them second on aggregate after three fixtures.

In their 4km race, Reading’s U15s were slow to make an impact, but Mattie Raynor worked his way into the top 10 by halfway, and reached fifth place briefly before ending ninth in a time of 13.05.

Second home for Reading was Olly Moor, who ran strongly throughout to finish in 30th place in 13.38, and Leon Bradshaw was the team’s final scorer in 34th position, recording 13.41.

Laurie Baker again ran well for 36th place in a time of 13.45, and Ben McCabe’s determined effort resulted in 46th position in 14.38. The team total of 73 gave Reading fifth place on the day and sixth on aggregate.

After his recent success in the BB&O Championships, Ollie Craggs had another fine run in the U13 3km race, tracking the leaders for most of the distance before being forced to give way in the closing stages to finish fourth in 10.05.

Second home for Reading with another solid run was Fraser Bradshaw in 24th place with 11.00, and George Urwin-Mann completed the scoring team with a determined effort for 42nd position in a time of 11.21.

Sam Newton and Adam Tivey finished 61st and 62nd places in 11.55 and 11.56, with Elliott McCarthy 76th in 12.32.

In the team competition Reading’s total of 70 gave them fifth place and took them up to fifth on aggregate.