ELLA Spencer and Simon Byrne grabbed the headlines on a great weekend for the Swindon Harriers.

In her first race of the year following injury, 15-year-old Spencer won a silver medal in the inter girl’s race at the South West Schools’ Cross Country Championships in Bristol.

“I’m very happy with my performance, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the cross country season and the English National Indoor Championships next weekend,” said Spencer, who is coached by John Dill.

In the minor girls’ race, Freya McMeeking - who is jointly-coached by Debbie Gunning and Jon Hughes - finished eighth, just in front of training partner Elsie Scrase (11th) while Dylan Necrews was 13th in the minor boys.

In the senior girls event, Naryani Costa-Jafrate continued her solid start to the year in 10th, Fletcher Hart was 10th in the senior boys’ race, while Carley Lainton finished top-20 in the inter girls’ race.

Meanwhile, at the Cotswold Country Farm Park, Byrne and the Harriers’ senior men’s squad have further strengthened their iron grip on the Oxford Cross Country League.

In-form Byrne made it three wins out of three in the fourth and penultimate fixture– he missed the previous meeting – so, heading into the final match next month, it is his title to lose.

“With the best four results to count, someone is going to have to work very hard to beat me!” said Byrne.

As far as the overall team title goes, the Harriers have one hand already on the trophy having now won all four matches in comprehensive style.

On Sunday, the squad of Byrne, Ben Cole, Ben Lines, Courtenay Chessell, who also finished top veteran, Max Harrison-Tosatto, Robert Abraham and Andrew Fulford all finished in the top 20 to score 74 points – a whopping 94 clear of Newbury AC.

Swindon’s women are also edging closer to promotion from Division Three as the trio of junior Rachel Oram, Felicity Webb and Jade Bennett narrowly claimed top spot by just two points from Headington RR C and Witney RR B.

In the young athletes races, there were second places for Harry Burdekin (U13s), Lucy Bull (U13s) and Charissa Griffiths-Clack (U11s) and also strong runs from Lowri Prosser, Mariama Barry, Joey Burdekin, Elsie Scrase and Harry Edwards.

Returning from a bad injury last summer, Tye Leo-Stroud, who is coached by Tony Jackson, set a club record of 7.50secs in the U20s 60m at the South of England Indoor Championships.