Angling

The Durham Fell Challenge Doctor's Gate at Hamsterley Forest got the club's nerw season off to a flier with junior members Simon Alexander and Matthew Shaw making excellent starts in the two-mile event.

Alexander, making his fell-running debut, finished in 20.09 fourth overall and third while Shaw returned in 24.10 sixth and fourth junior.

In the 1,102 feet ascent five-mile senior race Tony Hindmarch and Andrew Laybourn brought the club back to the grove in 47.58 for 13th while Laybourn made an excellent start to retain the vet O-50 title finishing first O-50, 14th overall in 48.07.

Despite a fall, Neil Douthwaite picked himself up for 52.07 finishing 25th and keeping Martin Alexander and Kimberly Crowther at bay as they sprinted in taking 28th in 52.40 and 29th in 52.42. Crowther ended her race an excellent third senior lady overall.

In another sprint finish, John Alexander pipped son Paul, both finishing strongly in 56.20, 37th and 38th in 56.24 while James Sowerby had a disappointing run in 64.57 for 46th position.

Donna Douthwaite, running solo, ended up guiding Sean Glasper in as he lost the trail for 75.01 taking 50th and 51st places.

In 52nd spot Alan Dickinson was delighted with his 75.41 performance and a personal best, keeping ahead of another fell debut-making Lesley Collinson who was escorted by Kenny Sams, both crossing the line successfully in 76.54 54th and 76.55 55th.

The three ladies all counted as a team towards the ladies trophy and made a super start as they hold top spot.

Elswick Harriers

The North Eastern Counties Athletic Association Signals Road Relay championships were held on the Team Valley Trading Estate last Saturday with the senior men finishing eighth out of 28 teams. David Anderson ran the third fastest leg of the day on leg two to record an excellent time of 10.12 over the extended two-mile course.

Martin Connelly ran leg one for the club in 11.39 with Adam Bell having a very sound run on leg three in 11.17. Michael Russell recorded 12.37 for leg four with Ray Smee running 11.53 on leg five and Charlie Townsend bringing the side home in 12.40.

Elswick's veteran men ran well to lift bronze behind Morpeth Harriers and Sunderland Harriers.

Ieuan Ellis ran the second fastest veteran time of the day on leg one with 11.09, Mark McNally held on to second spot on leg two in 11.49 with Harry Matthews returning 12.17 on the third. Mick Donnelly came home in 12.32 in the fourth leg with Tony Hall running 12.15 on the fifth leg. Jimmy Bell secured the medals in the final leg with 11.46.

Elswick B were awarded eighth place. Team counters Norman Armstrong 12.48 Dennis Bell 12.55 Steve Bell 13.01, Tom Hanson 13.05 Steve White 12.40, Phil Lancaster 12.39.

Elswick Ladies fielded two teams in the Signal Relays, finishing in fourth and sixth places. Sophie Milburn ran the sixth fastest leg of the day on leg one in 13.05 with Angela Smee recording 14.02 on leg two, Judith Nutt ran the ninth fastest lap in 13.16 with Angela Banner securing fourth spot in 13.57.

Elswick's B squad were led off by Yvonne Swinhoe in 14.34 with Claire Ure running 14.46 on leg two, Hilda Frost, 17.02 on the third leg with Hazel Simpson returning to competition to record 17.47 on the final leg.

The Chester-le-Street road races were held on Sunday with Ryan McLeod taking third place in the junior men's 5k race in 16.55 with Ray Smee fifth in 17.35 in the U-15 boys event. Ray Hawthorn was fifth in 11.00 over the 3.2k course with Andrew Greenwell finishing sixth in 11.09. Samantha Crowe was second in the U-15 girls race in 12.12 with Ashley Gibson in fifth place, ensuring Elswick took the team prize. Vicki Beck won the U-13 girls 2.5k race in 9.41 with Allison Clarke second in the U-11 girls 2.5k race in 7.48.

l Elswick Harriers presentation night is being held in the Blaydon Rugby Club on March 30 (7.30pm).

The special guest is David Moorcroft, chief executive of the UK Athletics and former GB international. Anyone interested in obtaining tickets for the evening please contact Frank Watson on (0191) 2673088.