WILTSHIRE runners Hayden Bailey and John Howorth performed superbly to finish among the medals at the English Cross Country Relays at Mansfield.

Bailey, who is a student at John of Gaunt School and lives in Westbury, gave Team Bath a brilliant start in the U15 boys’ race as he powered home in first place, the 14 year old having led the U13 boys 12 months agon when the squad went on to lift the national title for the first time.

Bailey was 31 seconds quicker this year and the quickest overall on the day, while Howorth, who lives in Hilperton and goes to St Augustine’s Catholic College, kept the team in the frame despite dropping one place to eventual champions Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers.

Themis Bower was handed the third and final stage and he kept his cool to deliver the silver medals as Team Bath finished just nine seconds adrift with Charnwood AC third 16 seconds behind.

“The final winning margin was less than 10 seconds which is a big improvement from the road relays where Shaftesbury Barnet were over a minute in front of us,” said team coach Adrian Clover.

“It was yet another top performance by the boys against top opposition.”

The B team, comprising Robert Howorth, Henry Dixon and Jonah Veakins also made the top 20.

Yasmin Watling, who lives in Lacock and goes to St Mary’s School in Calne, was part of the U17 women’s team that came home ninth in their race.

The U15 girls’ squad of Anna Burt, Jade Littlechild and Caitlin Wosika also sixth overall.

“That is easily the club’s highest position,” said Clover.

MORE SPORTS NEWS, PICTURES AND REACTION IN THIS FRIDAY’S WILTSHIRE TIMES. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @WTSport