Ipswich JAFFA enjoyed a double victory in the junior race at the latest 53-12 Cross Country League meeting, which they hosted at Wherstead.

Thomas Abbott was first home overall, and first in his under-17 age group, while his JAFFA club-mate Katie Challinor won the girls’ event.

The trio of JAFFA, Colchester Harriers and Colchester & Tendring AC all had strong team displays, with just nine points separating them in the final analysis.

Thomas Palmer, of the CATS, was second overall in a sprint finish behind Abbott, and first under-15, while Tiptree Road Runners’ Tom Rehal was third.

The top five was completed by JAFFA under-17 athletes Lee Harrison (fourth) and Connor Bilner (fifth).

Matthew Brayshaw, of the CATS, won the under-13 age group, crossing the line in ninth position.

His team-mate Sam Shippey was second under-13, with JAFFA’s Edward Osborn third in the same age group.

Dylan Robins, a member of Springfield Striders, was first under-11 boy.

Colchester Harriers’ surge was led by Danny Millward, who had run hard the day before at the Essex Schools Championships to qualify for the Inter-Counties Championships.

Millward finished sixth, and second under-15, with Sam Snorter enjoying a good run in seventh place (third under-15).

Harriers’ team-mate Milly Presland was a fine 16th overall, and also the leading under-13 girl, while Theo Gardiner was second under-11 behind Robins.

There were 25 members of Colchester & Tendring AC in action in the junior race at Wherstead, in the shadow of Orwell Bridge.

In addition to runner-up Palmer, the duo of Brayshaw and Shippey ran well to now first and second respectively in their age group.

Jon Lord completed the CATS’ team scorers in 19th position with what his best race of the season.

The Atkinson sisters, Kiera and Kayleigh, were first and second in the under-11 girls’ section, finishing 22nd and 25th respectively.

Further down the standings, other CATS’ juniors in action included Grace Kelway, who was 82nd in her first race of the winter, and two more debutants – Annabel McCulloch and Scarlett Johnston – who were just outside the top 100.

The next race is at Writtle College this Sunday.