COLCHESTER and Tendring Athletic Club's juniors claimed the 53-12 Cross County League team title after a fine performance in the final meeting of the season.

CATs runners answered the call to turn out in force in the winner-takes-all final at Great Notley Country Park to claim a superb victory, on a perfect day for off-road running.

Fielding a record 32 runners, including five debutants, they won after overtaking Ipswich Jaffa in the standings in the final event.

Thomas Palmer finished second and was also top under-15 boy for the season.

He also broke the two minute 800 metres barrier indoors, last week.

Ermeas Aferwerki finished fourth and Sam Gardiner was fifth, ahead of seventh-placed Matt Brayshaw.

Brayshaw's consistent performances have made him the star of this 53-12 Cross Country League season.

He was first under-13 runner for the season and second male overall behind Ipswich Jaffa's under-17 winner.

Finishing 11th, Henry Dover completed the CATs scorers for the day.

Aidan Cahill was 12th and Sam Shippey finished 15th, securing the second place under-13 boys' medal.

Under-11 girls Kiera and Kayleigh Atkinson (20th and 23rd) finished first and second under-11 girls for the season.

Kiera was second overall girl over the six races, a considerable feat considering she is in the youngest age group.

Consistency from Sam Gardiner (fifth), Rocco Viljoen (28th) and Ebba Paterson (38th) guaranteed them awards within their age groups for their winter’s work.

In the junior race, the leading CATs under-15 girl home was Saffron Rose, ahead of third-placed Ebba Paterson and Amy Thompson who was fifth.

In the five-mile senior race, Freddy Richardson (33rd) was first for CATs followed by Kieron Atkinson 94th and the evergreen duo Warren Page (155th) and Steve Cartwright (169th).

Jon Walton did not finish due to injury.

CATs finishers: Thomas Palmer 2; Ermeas Aferwerki 4; Sam Gardiner 5; Matthew Brayshaw 7; Henry Dover 11; Aidan Cahill 12; Sam Shippey 15; Kiera Atkinson 20; Kayleigh Atkinson 23; Rocco Viljoen 28; Saffron Rose 31; Ebba Paterson 38; Amy Thompson 43; Fred Walton 51; Ally Thorndike 54; Joe Hammond 56; Jennifer Palmer 57; Stanley Hobbs 61; Emily Brayshaw 68; Emily White 69; Elsa Styles 70; Lorkan Viljoen 72; Scarlett Thorp 76; Olivia Woods 77; Scarlett Dalton 83; Talia Wynter 84; Fleur Ensom 86; Polly Parker 91; Scarlett Johnston 92; Charlie Palmer 93; Sawyer Dalton 95; George Gray 111.