TWO runners from Aldershot Farnham & District AC fought out a duel in the South of England Cross Country Championships at London’s Parliament Hill Fields on Saturday.

Emily Hosker-Thornhill held the upper hand during most of the eight kilometres of the senior women’s competition, but Louise Small attacked within sight of the finish.

However, in the home straight, Hosker-Thornhill managed to push away and cross the line with a second to spare over her club-mate.

Their closest pursuers included Lauren Hall, fifth, and Philippa Bowden, ninth, who contributed to one of AFD’s four team triumphs in the ten races.

The junior men’s cause was helped by having all three individual medallists. Ellis Cross took gold ahead of the athlete he beat to the national title last season, Gus Cockle, while Dane Blomquist finished third. Rian McCawley closed the scoring team in 31st.

Niamh Brown, last year’s under-17 winner, claimed silver behind the U20 age group’s defending champion, Gemma Holloway of Thurrock Harriers, who was 11th in the junior race at the European Championships just before Christmas. Gabi Eglen, fifth, Daisy D’Santos, seventh, and Nancy Scott, ninth, completed another rout for AFD.

The club’s U13 boys had all their scorers in the top dozen. Harry Hyde was fourth, Sam Bodoano fifth, Ed Henderson eighth and Rudi Morrell 12th.

Luke van Oudtshoorn was runner-up in the U15 boys’ event and gained another silver medal as Elliott Pocock came 38th, Charlie Kershaw 39th and Joe Blacknell 53rd for AFD.

Both AFD’s U17 sides also took silver medals: Marcus Shantry, eighth, Robbie Coupland, 17th, Lewis Reid, 20th, and Max Heyden, 22nd, for the men; and Tilly Horton, ninth, Maisie Grice, 14th, Lizzie Squibbs, 21st, and Katriona Brown, 33rd, for the women.