READING AC’s U17 men again just missed out on the medal positions as they finished fourth in the National Cross Country Championships at Mansfield, replicating their recent National Road Relays result.

However, it was tough going for the U15 boys, who finished 30th, and the U13s, who were unable to complete a team.

In cold and windy conditions on the twisting and undulating woodland/parkland course, Matt Rawlings gave Reading a good start in the U17 3x3km race, running just behind the leaders before being baulked in the final km and fading a little before handing over sixth in a time of 9m 11secs.

The reliable Sam Rodda then produced another excellent run as he brought the team into third.

Rodda’s time of 9:24, was only about five seconds slower than Rawlings’ run, as the first-leg runners ran about 40m less than the others.

With Shaftesbury now well ahead, Nick Wiltshire on the final stage set about trying to catch Charnwood in second, but eventually had to give ground and was himself caught by the fast-finishing Tonbridge runner.

Nevertheless, Wiltshire almost matched Rodda’s time as he recorded 9:25 to help the team finish fourth.

For the U17 B team,  Eddie Steveni gave a typically committed performance on the opening leg, recording 9:28 for 24th place.

On stage two Harry Roe fought well, but dropped to 27th with a time of 10:07, and Max Martin ran well in losing just two more places with 10:20 to give the team 29th place at the finish.

Tom Nike had a good run on the opening stage for the incomplete C team with a time of 11:01, and Adam Halbert also ran well to record 11:11 and leave the team in 78th at the end of stage two.

For a weakened U15 team, Joseph Mott was fastest in their 3x2km race, as he ran 6:51 for 29th place on the opening stage.

Mattie Raynor put in a brave effort on stage two, but was unable to avoid slipping to 42nd in running 7:34, and on the final stage Tom Rickards ran well to improve the team’s position to 30th with 7:32.

Olly Moor gave the incomplete B team a good start with a time of 7:40 for 82nd position, and Alfie McGlennon also ran well with a time of 8:01 to leave the team in 76th after two stages.

In the U13’s 3x2km race, Reading could only field two runners.

Dylan Lowther, back from some weeks out with a broken arm, found the going tough on the opening stage, but battled gamely for 70th place, recording 7:52.

Laurie Baker’s determined effort left Reading in 55th at the end of stage two, as he ran an encouraging 8:06.