THE final Area Crosscountry League race saw teams from across West Dorset compete in incredibly challenging conditions at the Sir John Colfox Academy.

All schools from West Dorset compete in three races at Beaminster, Budmouth and Colfox and the team and individual with the lowest score wins overall.

In the first race, Colfox Year 7 girls were looking to make it three wins from three races. As the race started the rain began to drive in the faces of the runners and the ground was heavy under foot.

Colfox runner Beth Watts came home in first place and Colfox took their third victory in the series.

The next race saw Woodroffe look for their third victory in what has been a fiercely competitive age group.

The top three individuals went out hard at the front and it was a battle right until the very end with Jonny Styrin crossing the line first.

On the day, Colfox took the win but Woodroffe were victorious across the three races. Henry Birchall from Woodroffe took the individual title.

In the Junior Girls’ race Colfox were looking to make it three wins from three races.

The top three individuals set off at a blistering pace and the positions were held right until the finish line with Woodroffe pupil Alice Clarke winning the race.

Lea Devecsery took the individual title after her two wins in the first two races.

By the time the junior boys’ race commenced the rain had been joined by a driving wind.

This did not stop Colfox runner Owen Pitcher setting off at an incredibly fast pace which he sustained right until the finish line crossing in first place leading the team to their third victory.

Ed Bird, from Thomas Hardye School, finished second to secure the overall individual win across all three races.

The Inter Girls’ team event has been hotly-contested by Colfox, Woodroffe and DTHS across all three races.

On the day, individual winner Phoebe Clark did what she has done in every race and led from the front and crossed the line in first place.

Clark was well supported by her team and Woodroffe took the victory on the day. Across all three races the team score was tied with Colfox.

Colfox aimed for their third victory in the Inter Boys’ team event, which morphed into a straight shoot-out between Colfox runners Fin Cauldwell and Gus Johnson for the overall win.

On the day, Fin got the better of his team-mate and crossed the line in first place, helping Colfox to their third team win.

n Colfox would like to thank the Symondsbury Estate for allowing them to use the course. Colfox would also like to thank CHG South West for their continued support with sponsoring the trophies.