Neil Bangs' season has been curtailed by a sprained ankle, but he is making up for lost time.

In his first Essex League Cross County meet in Colchester, Bangs finished runner-up to the in-form Adrian Muffett (Colchester) who had been 16th in the Inter Counties.

This weekend the Aveley-based university student is at the National Cross Country Championships in Bristol with his target of improving on last year's 33rd position and specifically a finish among the top 30.

Should Bangs achieve his goal then he can look forward to international recognition.

Bangs had led home Thurrock's senior men's squad to third at Colchester.

Considering all their runners were in the first 30, Harriers were unlucky not to be higher, but found the host club able to field a very strong team to follow in regular winners Chelmsford.

Graeme Garner came 16th ahead of the tightly-knit pack of Tony Cummings (21st), Neil McGregor (25th), Gary Bangs (29th) and Steve Williams (30th).

Overall in the team competition, Thurrock were in fifth. That unusually low placing was due to them not competing in the first League meeting.

McGregor was the highest placed individual runner, but Williams will pick up the club's Crudgington Trophy as the most consistent performer during the League season.

Published Wednesday, February 20, 2002