READING Athletic Club's senior and U17 women's teams both achieved splendid victories in the season's final Hampshire Cross Country League fixture at Dibden Inclosure in the New Forest on Saturday, with the U17s confirming their winning of the overall league championship.

In the senior women's race over 6km, Jess Gibbon produced another outstanding performance to finish second in a time of 20m 51secs.

With Gibbon being backed up by excellent runs from U20 Georgia Hayes, third in 21.43, and from Sophie Crumly, fourth in 22.07, the team result was never in doubt.

There were 11 other Reading athletes competing, and following previous results Reading finished in a fine third position overall in the league.

The U17 women had already won the team trophy, but were successful again for a clean sweep of five league victories.

Hermione Walker had another great run to finish second in their 4km race in 17.04, and Georgia Whalley produced her best run so far in finishing fifth in 17.34. The scoring team was completed by Abi Hancock with an improved run in sixth place, recording 17.41, to give Reading a comfortable victory.

There were also fine runs from Renee Whalley in 11th with 18.21, Alannah Chadwick, 15th in 18.58, and Lara Tolson, 17th in 19.11.

In addition Walker finished first on aggregate individually, and Renee Whalley sixth.

Reading's trio of runners in the U17 men's 6km race made a cautious start, with Ben Rollings and Joseph Mott running just outside the top 10 for the first 2km or so, and Mattie Raynor, returning from illness, a little way behind.

As the race progressed it became clear Rollings was improving his position significantly, and overtaking two runners towards the end, he eventually finished in an excellent third place in a time of 20.50 for his best result of the season.

Mott fought well for his ninth place in 21.55 and Raynor kept going well for 15th in 22.43 to give the Reading team an excellent second place on the day, although previous league results meant they were unplaced in the aggregate standings.

Rollings finished in fourth place in the individual aggregate positions, with Mott eighth.

In the 3km U13 girls' race, Evie Elson had a superb run, coming home in fifth place in a time of 10.29, and she was supported by good runs from Holly Haldane, 10th in 10.42, and Ella Newman, 13th in 10.59, to complete the scoring team, leaving Reading in third place on the day and third overall.

There were strong races too from Lydia Godfrey (41st, 11.56), Emma Yeadon (47th, 12.17) and Zoe Rennie, who coming back after recent illness did well to finish 54th in 13.08.

In addition Haldane finished in fifth place on aggregate individually, and Elson sixth.

In the U13 boys' 3km race, Oli Snoxall ran very well in his first race for Reading, showing great promise as he led the team home in 12th place in a time of 9.59. Nick Haldane had a good solid run to finish 43rd in 11.00, and there was an improved run from Adam Tivey, who came 46th in 11.09, while non-scorer Jacob Sheikh kept going well for 56th place in 11.42.

The Reading team finished in seventh place on the day and equal fifth on aggregate, with Haldane in 31st place individually overall.

For Reading's U15 girls in their 4km race, Talia Painting had a very strong start, and although dropping back somewhat came in 27th in a time of 19.05.

Second home for Reading was Jemima Crocker with an improved run for 36th place in 19.41, closely followed by Katie Barnes in 37th with 19.45, while Evie Warren persevered for 47th place in 20.44.

This left the team in seventh place on the the day and fifth on aggregate.

In the U15 boys' race over 4km, Ollie Craggs had another good run to finish 12th in 15.31, and Laurie Baker competed well for 27th in 16.40.

Though unable to complete a team on the day, Reading nevertheless finished in fifth place on aggregate, with Baker 16th individually.

Reading AC now look forward to the climax to the club cross-country season with the National Championships at Leeds on Saturday week.