COLCHESTER Harriers' men kept their hopes of being crowned Essex Cross Country League champions alive after a fine showing at Writtle.

They finished third, meaning that they could still claim the title if results go the right way for them.

Ramadam Osman led a good Green Vests team to third place at their latest fixture, after he finished as a fine runner-up.

He was backed up by Ed Mitchell (ninth), Allen Smalls (21st), Colin Ridley (31st), Gavin Scanlon (51st) and Chris Sellens (91st), who brought the team home.

Other Harriers finishers were Alex Sales (66th), Pete West (98th), Simon Morgan (111st) and Pat Marsh (144th).

Team result (first six): 1 Havering 106, 2 Orion 116, 3 Colchester Harriers 133, 4 Benfleet 172, 5 Springfield 180, 6 Thurrock 192.

Harriers' ladies struggled again after failing to finish with a full team.

It means that they must finish a team of four in the final race to ensure they avoid relegation to division two.

Brave runs came from Ella Neale (17th), Denise Morley (18th) and Ellie Cumner (31st).

Milly Presland was a superb third in the under-15 girls' category, with Madeline Claydon 22nd.

Harriers' under-17 boys finished a fine third team thanks to Max Caulfield (tenth), Danny Millward (12th), Ermeas Aferwerki (15th) and Alex Williamson (16th).

Hannah Watson kept up her strong form with sixth position in the under-17 ladies' race.

Charlie Parmenter was 27th in the under-13 boys' event, with Daisy Bullamore 37th in the under-13 girls.

Angus Holford finished a superb 40th in the Metropolitan League match, at Wormwood Scrubs.

Jordan Rowe was in action at the British Milers Club indoor 3,000 metres race, running a personal best (PB) of 8 minutes 46 seconds despite suffering from a heavy cold.

Tom Cresswell was first overall at the Snetterton 5km event, with Wayne Cook running a PB and Paul Preston also running well.

The 10km event had Chris Manby running a good time in 39m 40s, while Rebecca Cooke clocked 40m 37s and Dan Wilkinson ran 43m 10s.

The 53-12 Cross Country League meet at Wherstead saw Harriers finishing third overall, with the men second and the ladies fifth.

This means Harriers remain in runners-up spot, with two fixtures to go.

Harriers' eight men scorers were Angus Holford, Allen Smalls, Gavin Scanlon, John Fryer, Colin Ridley, Craig Mitchell, Tim Ballard and Dan Marks.

The club's four ladies to score were Andrea James who was an excellent fourth, Joe Marks (13th), Ffion Harris (15th) and Louise Yates (67th).

The Junior 53-12 event saw Harriers finish third overall to remain third for the season.

The juniors who ran were Alex Williamson (sixth), Milly Presland (13th), Madeline Claydon (16th), Charlie Parmenter (26th), Grace Gardiner (38th), Harrison Leek (39th), Daisy Hilson (43rd), Daisy Bullamore (77th), Emily Swann (85th), Alice Begg (91st) and Jes Longstaff (96th).