A second successive win for our senior women at Ally Pally on Saturday was plenty good enough to secure the much-wanted promotion back to the first division, if not quite enough to bag the hoped-for top spot.

The on-paper potential of our women has never been in doubt, but for a few frustrating years, getting the spikes on the ground was. Finally a committed and consistent winter squad has emerged this winter and demonstrated its point-scoring power across the five fixtures, landing this result.

No fewer than 55 of our young athletes made the short journey to Alexander Palace for our final fixture, all keen to protect five of our age category leads plus the Howard Williams Junior overall trophy.

Although a sunny day there was a very strong wind blowing across the course which slowed the runners on the final stretch of their races. Recent rain had also left parts of the course very muddy indeed. This did not deter our athletes one bit, and they went on to retain the overall Junior trophy by a massive 17 points, and retain the leads we had on the various age groups, to boot. Many of the club's committee were there to witness this wonderful achievement for the second year in a row.

Provisional results

2018-19 Winners of the Howard Williams (Junior) Trophy 

With coach Steve Cody & Team Manager John Stow (photo: Sally Chapman)