WITH the season almost at an end, Halstead Road Runners are harbouring hopes for promotion in the Essex Cross-Country League.

It is the most prestigious cross-country league in the county and one that Halstead hadn't competed in for some time before this year so they are proud of what they have achieved for a small club in their first season back.

The penultimate fixture was a local affair at Great Notley Country Park.

The recent snow remained on the ground in a couple of places as the runners covered a two-lap undulating course including the notorious Big Bird Hill.

The Halstead ladies’ team was strengthened by the presence of front runners Hazel Buist and Rosie Atkins finishing in 26th and 28th position respectively.

Melanie Candler (37th) and Wendy Carter (48th) completed the scoring four, but all members of the team contribute to the success of the club on the day by pushing other clubs down the score sheet.

Nicole Smith, Treena Harrington, cross-country regular Sarah Frost and Jenn Langley swelled the ladies’ numbers resulting in a second-place finish for Halstead on the day.

Halstead's ladies are now joint first in division two with Billericay Striders and look almost certain to secure promotion to division one in their first season back in this league.

Wesley Atkins (65th) was the lead Halstead man for the second week running, while Richard Candler also put in a strong performance (81st) despite having a 15-mile off road race looming the following day.

Jim Clark (86th), Bob Langley (97th), birthday boy Dan Hollinshead (105th) and Andy Owen (117th) were the remaining scorers with Simon King (122nd ) and Andy Carter (134th) completing the men’s team.

The men finished third in division two on the day and are now third overall in the table, however, with the top three clubs getting promoted, there is everything to play for going into the final fixture.

The final fixture in this league is on February 11 in Basildon.

Elsewhere, Ian Chandler and John Warne took on the tough Benfleet 15 in horrible wet weather conditions.

Chandler finished in two hours and 28 minutes, with Warne close behind in 2h 31m.