Nestle Rowntree AC finished the winter season with the North Yorkshire and South Durham League Relays at Redcar.

Rowntree Ladies were led off by Under-17 runner Lara Gibbs, who finished in third place. Her mother, Dawn, an over-45 veteran, then stormed through to put her side in front.

However, the two chasing teams had saved strong runners for the last stage and overhauled Susanna Dale with the York-based team coming third.

The Under-15 team, missing Emma Macalister-Hall through illness, ran well to finish second to Scarborough. Emma Willits, running the first leg, came home in second and Charlotte Maxted and Alice McCabe had strong runs to keep that spot.

An excellent run saw Victoria Graves come back in second place after the opening stage of the Under-13 race.

Sophie Hunter then had an excellent run to keep the team in medal contention, and newcomer Nichola Bell brought the team home in fourth.

The men's team, who have retained the league title, missed the trip to Redcar to concentrate on next week's Northern Road Relay where they will be hoping to qualify for the National 12 stage later in April.

The substitute men's team enjoyed the run-out and finished in eighth place.

Results

Men's 'B': 8th of 18 - Martin Lawn 10-56, Jerry Barnes 10-47, Ged Hemblade 11-33, Dave Paver 12-21.

Ladies' 'A': 3rd of 10: Lara Gibbs 11-38, Dawn Gibbs 11-26, Susanna Dale 12-13. Dawn Gibbs was fastest veteran and third fastest overall.

Ladies' 'B': 6th - Claire Duck 12-22, Julie Simpson 12-35, Louisa Banfield 12-53.

Under 15 'A': 2nd of 9 - Emma Willits 5-50, Charlotte Maxted 5-45, Alice McCabe 5-59.

Under-15 'B': 6th - Anna Dew 6-09, Laura Hunter 6-19, Nina Batt 6-04.

Under-15 'C': 9th - Rachel Hemblade 6-11, Sarah Welsh 6-26, Helen Hemblade 6-47.

Under-13 'A' team: fourth out of 13 - Victoria Graves clocked 5min 58sec, Sophie Hunter 6-05, Nichola Bell 6-19.

Under-13 'B': 8th - Katie Hunter 6-51, Jennifer Welsh 6-16, Victoria Graves 6-13.

Updated: 09:25 Thursday, April 03, 2003