THE joys of cross-country were there for all to see in last week's third race in the East Anglian Cross Country League, held over a challenging new course at Whitlingham Country Park at Trowse in Norwich and set up in expert fashion by the team from the Tri-anglia Triathlon Club (www.

THE joys of cross-country were there for all to see in last week's third race in the East Anglian Cross Country League, held over a challenging new course at Whitlingham Country Park at Trowse in Norwich and set up in expert fashion by the team from the Tri-anglia Triathlon Club (www.tri-anglia.co.uk).

There were pathways, fields, forest trails, (one with quite a long hill), muddy sections along the delightful Whitlingham Broad and even one section underneath the bypass at Trowse.

Something for everyone in fact, and while many said afterwards that it had been one of the most challenging courses they had ever encountered, they were equally keen to say how enjoyable the race had been.

Very much echoing these sentiments were the runners from the Great Yarmouth Road Runners/East Norfolk Sixth Form College team.

With a number of the older runners missing, it was left to the younger runners to deliver the goods, and they did so in sterling fashion.

None more so than James Jackson-Nicholls who once again finished second overall, a fine performance just four days after his participation in a major national cross-country event in Sefton Park in Liverpool.

He was ably abetted on this occasion by fellow students Dan Chaney and Stephen Haughton, with Mike Spragg registering as the fourth member of the A Team on this occasion.

Leading the way home for the

B team was Jordon Reed, with John Bone, Ryan Love and Alex Smith in close contention.

Matt Nicholls sustained an injury and was unable to complete the race - but he is expected to be back in contention for the next race in the series, at RAF Barnham on January 14.

Ploughing a lonely furrow but doing so with verve and aplomb was the sole female to represent the team and the college on the day, Laurie Fox.

She ran strongly throughout to finish a well-deserved second lady, obtaining 199 points in the league and consolidating her position as the current leader in East Norfolk College's own cross-country championship grand prix.

Others have only themselves to blame if they cannot make themselves available for such exciting events as these.

Results - East Anglian Cross- Country League Race Three, December 3

Great Yarmouth Road Runners positions and points: 2 James Jackson-Nicholls 199, 23 Dan Chaney 178, 28 Stephen Haughton 173, 32 Mike Spragg 169.

Total Team A: 719. 40 Jordon Reed 161, 42 John Bone 15943 Ryan Love 158, 50 Alex Smith 151. Total Team B 629. 2 Laurie Fox 199. Total Ladies Team 199.