ST HELENS Sutton AC's senior runners travelled to Frodsham on the worst running day for many years to take part in the first match in the Cheshire Cross-Country League.

The tight course and varied terrain of Castle Park is always testing but the addition of a few inches of snow made it even more so than usual. First home for the club in the senior men's race held over 7.2km was Tony Smith who finished 29th showing the benefit of his fell running background.

A group of three club runners stayed together for most of the course before Richard Farrar and Barry Graney broke away with a lap to go. Richard just got the better of Barry a short way before the finish for them to take 38th and 40th places. The dropped runner was Andy O'Connor who hung on well for his 45th placing.

Club captain Ray Voce finished 56th and there was good support from Tony Davies who finished 59th to complete the scoring six.

Richie Bradshaw found the going very different to the road surface to which he is more accustomed and would be disappointed with his 105th position. Veteran Alan Davies was the last member to finish in 125th spot. John Irwin started the race but he was troubled with a hamstring problem and wisely dropped out before the finish.

Only two of the ladies felt able to tackle the difficult conditions with Cecilia Fitzsimons finishing 41st in the ladies' race over 5.2km and Janet Holmes finishing 52nd.