ATHLETICS

FOUR of Orion Harrier's finest young runners helped Essex win the team gold award at the inter-counties race at Gloucester Park, Basildon.

The youngsters had previously qualified for this event by finishing in the top 32 runners in the trials held at Chelmsford in January.

And they peformed well again on one of the most demanding of cross-country courses.

Armanni Antoine-Chager continued her impressive recent form to come home in a magnificent fifth place overall in the individual standings, running superbly to become the second-placed Essex athlete in a field of 300 competitors.

Charlotte Matthews (50th), Leah Honeychurch (63rd) and Sienna Blake (65th) also performed proudly for the county, making their debuts on what turned out to be a most memorable occasion for the young club members.