Meanwhile, there were good efforts from the U13s and U17s, and from two more of Reading's U15s in the Oxfordshire team.

In the 4.5km U15 race, Chey Kemp ran strongly before fading slightly towards the end, but nevertheless led the Berkshire team home in a fine 12th place, recording 17:35.

Matthew Rawlings had the misfortune to fall on a steep downhill section of the course, but produced a strong finish to be Berkshire's third scorer in 32nd position in a time of 18:04.

Together with Windsor's Jack Goddard (14th) and Team Kennet's Sammy Hart (35th), Berkshire had a total of 93 points and tantalisingly were left in 4th place of the 41 teams behind the North-East (48 points), Yorkshire (91) and Hampshire (also 91).

Nick Wiltshire produced an excellent determined effort as Oxfordshire's leading runner, finishing in 27th place in 17:59. Sam Rodda and Eddie Steveni were outside the scoring places for Berkshire in 58th and 81st places respectively, in times of 18:29 and 18:40, while Harry Roe was Oxfordshire's third scorer in 97th place, recording 18:52, as the Oxfordshire team finished 12th.

Reading had three runners in the Berkshire team for the U17 race, run over 6km.

Peter Cook had a good steady run for 60th place in a time of 21:01, and was Berkshire's second man home.

Isaac Farnworth ran strongly for 95th place in 21:26 and was the team's fourth and final scorer as they finished 11th, with Alex Sutton competing well for 123rd position in 21:44.

In the 3km U13 race Reading also had three competitors. Ben Rollings displayed a welcome return to form as he led Berkshire home in an excellent 39th place in a time of 12:36.

However, Zak Colvin was unlucky in being spiked soon after the start, but bravely continued and was the team's fourth scorer in 92nd position in 13:01, as Berkshire finished 13th. Joseph Mott was another to struggle, but battled on gamely for 170th place, recording 13:30.

Many of these athletes now go on to compete for the Berkshire and Oxfordshire schools teams in English Schools Championships.