LOUGHTON'S athletes were also in action at the final Essex Cross Country League fixture of the season at Orion’s Royal Forest track.

Lorna Gaffney ran strongly for a 20th place finish over the 6.5km course for the senior women and she was swiftly followed by Michelle Hurley (24th) and Gabrielle Brooks (30th), while Jean Hobbs (53rd), Irene Petersen (55th) and Michaela Davis (56th) also enjoyed good races.

Those results meant the team achieved an impressive seventh place overall finish from 20 teams after a gruelling campaign.

In the senior men’s race, over an 8.8km course, Mick Rolfe was the first Loughton finisher in 61st place, while Gavin Harper ran well for 70th. They were followed in by Dave Tyson (92nd), Jim Whiffen (117th), John Hart (130th), David Hobbs (132nd), George Georgiou (133rd) and Jakob Petersen (135th).

Those results saw the side finish the season in 14th position.

Meanwhile, Francesca Cioni recorded a strong 21st position in the U17 women’s race and Fiona Petersen was equally impressive with her 21st place finish in the U15 girls’ event.