TEAM Southampton filled five of the top-ten under-15 boys' positions to take first team spot in the Wessex Cross-Country League fixture at Newbury.

Again it was Scott Legg who led the boys home in third place, ahead of Chris Dennis (5th), Renato Veraj (6th), Peter Batten (8th) and Jamie Knapp (9th). Calum Stewart had a good run on his club debut in 20th.

In the senior men's race, Alex Wall-Clarke showed his class in a field of over 100 runners, storming through the mud and woods at Greenham Common to finish fourth.

Team Southampton's under-17 women and under-15 girls were also top teams on the day. For the older age-group, Carol Thompson claimed a season's best fourth place, while Georgina Barton was seventh and Emma Renouf ninth.

Second-placed Louise Webb led the under-15s home ahead of Megan Coakley (6th), who is running into excellent form. Lauren Mills came 11th despite being injured en route.

In the youngest age group, Hannah Musker, right, (6th) and debutant Mhairi-Clair Stewart (8th) converted their biathlon successes into good cross-country form.

There had also been winning performances by Chris Dennis and Louise Webb leading up to the Newbury race.

Both took age-group titles at the Hampshire Schools' Cross-Country Championships held at Southampton Sports Centre.

The next big date is the Hampshire Cross-Country Championships at Dibden on January 8.

Team Southampton results

Under-11 girls and boys (mixed race): Hannah Musker 6th, Mhairi-Clair Stewart 8th, David Fisher 11th, Matthew Knapp 18th, Olivia Steele 43rd, Joel Kidd 44th.

Under-13 girls: Laura Coxhead 6th, Kellie Porter 9th, Libby Wheeler 32nd.

Under-13 boys: Harry Fisher 12th, Martin Campbell 19th, Simon Campbell 25th.

Under-15 girls: Louise Webb 2nd, Megan Coakley 6th, Lauren Mills 11th, Katrina Brace 18th, Kay Shafford 22nd, Rebecca Campbell 28th.

Under-15 boys: Scott Legg 3rd, Chris Dennis 5th, Renato Veraj 6th, Peter Batten 8th, Jamie Knapp 9th, Scott Gallant 14th, Craig Hiscock 15th, Calum Stewart 20th, Colin Thompson 24th.

Under-17 girls: Carol Thompson 4th, Georgina Barton 7th, Emma Renouf 9th.

Senior women: Debbie Hallett (vet)18th, Karen Washford (vet) 34th, Louise Steele 42nd .

Senior men: Alex Wall-Clarke 4th, Peter Haynes 95th.

l Bethany Woodhouse continued her run of good form competing for Eastleigh & District Junior AC at the Wessex Cross-Country League fixture at Newbury.

Braving chilly conditions, Woodhouse finished in her highest ever position of eighth in the under-13 girls' category and was well supported by Melody Young in 26th, Emily Varcoe 29th and Charlotte Bintcliffe 34th.

Under-11 boy JJ Peters also secured his best ever placing, fifth. Behind him was Chad Mansergh in 19th.

Debutant Paul Phipps led Eastleigh's under-15 boys home in 11th, followed by Dean Miller 18th, Adam Hicks 21st and Gareth Phillips, back from long-term injury, in 27th.

Other results -

Under-13 boys: Alex Millen 15th, Fred Young 24th, Stuart Phillips 28th, Calum Bressington 29th.

Under-15 girls: Laura Harvey 17th, Claire Varcoe 29th, Natasha Smith 35th.

Under-11 girls: Rebekah Houlbinka 16th, Nicola Smith 27th.