HAYDEN Bailey showed great composure to record the best win of his young career in the Cardiff Cross Challenge, writes Kevin Fahey.

The 13-year-old John of Gaunt School student from Westbury defeated a strong field to win the U13 boys’ race and improve upon his fourth place in the Bristol Challenge and silver medal at the recent silver medal at the South West Championships.

“My tactics were to sit back in the early stages and stay in second or third and then use my sprint at the end,” said Bailey.

“I had to make sure I stayed calm and relaxed, especially when the other lad (Connor Bentley of Wrekin) made his move. I just followed him and then kicked hard in the closing stages.

“I knew I should have run better in Bristol so I am really pleased to come here and win.”

In the U20 men’s race Winsley’s Alex Carter was again representing Wales and at one stage gave the crowd something to cheer as he forged into the lead.

The chasing pack quickly swallowed him up and then dropped him, but Carter fought well to finish fifth.

“The result was an improvement on recent runs but it is still nowhere near what I should be performing like on the country,” said Carter.

In the U15 girls’ race Trowbridge-based Caitlin Wosika, also a member of Team Bath AC, finished 13th.

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