ELLIS Cross, the National junior cross country title holder, defeated Southampton’s Alex Teuten, senior silver medallist in Nottingham, and led Aldershot, Farnham & District to victory in the men’s team event at the opening fixture of the Hampshire League.

Ben Bradley was third, Liam Burthem fifth, Alex Pointon seventh and Callum Charleston completed the scoring quintet in 11th.

Ethan Scott beat last season’s South of England bronze medallist, Ben Brown of Southampton, for his win in the U13 boys’ event at King’s Park, Bournemouth on Saturday.

Leon Lafreniere, fifth, and Tom Henderson, 16th, were the other members of AFD’s victorious side.

Marcus Shantry was another AFD athlete to lead his club to the team spoils with an individual win as he led home Max Heyden, fourth, and Elliott Pocock, fifth, in the U17 men’s competition.

Sean Harnet of New Forest Runners won the U15 boys’ race, but the next three comprised AFD’s winning team: Dylan Spencer, Michael Gar and Ryan Martin.

Both the U15 and U13 girls’ events featured an AFD winning team led by the individual runner-up. Pippa Roessler was supported by Ruby Horton, fifth, and Lydia Carter, seventh, in the U15 race and Kiki Webb was backed up by Charlotte Borgars, fourth, and Rosie Kelly, fifth, in the U13s.

AFD’s team finished second in the senior women’s contest, while providing the individual winner in Katie Bingle, who was third fastest at last month’s South of England road relays. Bingle finished nearly half a minute ahead of Louise Damen, a former national champion, who led Winchester & District to the team honours.

Eugenie Cockle, 17th overall, was the first U20 runner home and led AFD to victory in that department.

• The meeting also included the presentation of the Popplewell Trophy to Tim Eglen, manager of many successful AFD teams, for his contribution to the sport in Hampshire, one of the strongest counties in the UK.

Tim, who has been involved with cross country in the county for over 45 years, received the Popplewell Trophy from Alan Ive, Hampshire League secretary and acting chairman.