ROBERT Howorth sprinted to a thrilling victory in the U15 boys’ race at the Tri-Counties Cross Country Championships, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

The 14-year-old St Augustine’s College student from Hilperton was chased all the way to the finish line by Aiden Noble of Avon, but Howorth just held on to lift the title by a second in what proved to be the closest race of the day.

It was also one of the strongest, with the field comprising the best runners in Avon, Somerset and Wiltshire , who would feature prominently on a national level.

“Coming up to the last 200m Robert pulled away but the other lad kept chasing and it came down to a sprint finish between the pair,” said delighted mother Caroline. Twin brother John was third.

Melksham Oak School student Will Stockley, who lives in Semington, looked impressive as he finished third overall in the combined U20/17 men’s race. He was only beaten by one other U17 runner and was easily the best in Wiltshire and even finished ahead of his county U20 champion.

Trowbridge-based runner Caitlin Wosika lifted the U15 girls’ title while Corsham’s Kirsty Stanley was crowned U20 women’s champion.

In only her second race of the year following injury problems 21-year-old Warminster runner Imogen Wolsey claimed a morale-boosting victory in the senior women’s race.

The Avon Valley Runners team of Jaqueline Rockliffe, Jennifer Ford, Fiona Price and Kiersty Barnett claimed the Wiltshire team title for the fifth time and also took Tri-County bronze behind Bristol & West and Westbury Harriers and ahead of Team Bath and Chippenham Harriers.

The 2013 U11s champion Eleanor Webster, of Stonar School, Melksham, did well to win silver having stepped up into the U13s and there were also silvers for Hayden Bailey of Westbury and Corsham’s Jade Littechild.

Bronze medals were won by Cameron Perkins, John Howorth and Elen Lindsay, with Melksham’s Ciara Newcastle finishing second overall and first Wiltshire runner home in the girls’ U11 race.

The senior men’s race saw Avon Valley Runners’ defending champion Michael Towler finish third but, along with Rich Ayling, Mike Rose, David Brigstocke, Dominic Beddis and Pete Slade, help Avon Valley to defend their Wiltshire team title and take Tri-County silver behind Team Bath.

The race will be used to determine selection for the Wiltshire team to compete at the South West Inter-Counties Championships at Bicton College, near Exeter, on Sunday, January 4.

COUNTY HONOURS BOARD

Golds (6): Will Stockley, U17 men, Semington; Robert Howorth, U15 boys, Hilperton; Imogen Wolsey, senior women, Warminster; Kirsty Stanley, U20 women, Corsham; Gemma Shepherd, U17 women, Yatesbury; Caitlin Wosika, U15 girls, Trowbridge.

Silvers (3): Hayden Bailey, U15 boys, Westbury; Jade Littechild, U15 girls, Corsham; Eleanor Webster, U13 girls, Melksham.

Bronzes (3): Cameron Perkins, U17 men, Chppenham; John Howorth, U15 boys, Hilperton; Elen Lindsay, U15 girls, Sheldon School.

Wiltshire results: wiltshiretimes.co.uk/sport