THE GIRLS of Birtley AC did the North-East region proud in the North of England Cross Country Relays at Graves Park, Sheffield, winning the under-17 team race before their Great Britain international Lydia Turner marked her elevation into the junior ranks by out-running her senior rivals in the women’s event.

Turner, who is not 18 until next month, clocked 11 mins 35 secs for the two-mile circuit, 16 seconds faster than her fellow international, Durham City’s Rosie Smith, to move up 15 places on the anchor leg and take seventh place – two behind Durham.

Birtley’s under-17 team of Sophie Burnett, Amber Leigh and Kate Waugh led from start to finish, with Burnett and Waugh recording the two fastest lap times.

Sunderland Harriers were again the region’s top team in the senior men’s four-stage event, finishing 12th, with Birtley 15th and Durham City 18th.

Selected results – Under-17 women: 1 Birtley 25 mins 24 secs (S Burnett 8.17, A Leigh 8.53, K Waugh 8.14); 2 Stockport 26.07; 14 Gateshead 30.56. Fastest time: 1 K Waugh 8.14; 2 S Burnett 8.17.

Senior Women: 1 Rotherham 37.12; 2 Holmfirth 37.39; 3 Rotherham B 38.17; 5 Durham City 39.06; 7 Birtley 40.34; 19 Gateshead 44.48. Fastest times: 1 L Turner (Birtley) 11.35; 2 R Smith (Durham City) 11.51.

Senior Men: 1 Liverpool 42.59; 2 Warrington 43.33; 3 Vale Royal 43.34; 12 Sunderland 45.26; 15 Birtley 45.45; 18 Durham City 46.43.

*Tyne Bridge veteran Dominic Munnelly showed his younger rivals the way home to win yesterday's 18th Blackhill Bounders Gibside Fruitbowl multi-terrain race, beating Chichester long distance runner Martin Barwood by a comfortable 24 seconds. Morpeth Harrier Jane Hodgson was first woman, finishing over three minutes clear of Jarrow and Hebburn over-45 Elaine Leslie.

Results - Men: 1 D Munnelly (Tyne Bridge M40) 40 mins 54 secs; 2 M Barwood (Chichester) 41.18; 3 M Barker (Sunderland) 41.26; 4 S Bell (Blackhill M40) 41.43; 5 P Sanderson (Elswick M40)41.55.

Women: 1 J Hodgson (Morpeth) 46.25; 2 E Leslie (Jarrow & Hebburn W45) 49.36; 3 H Shillitoe (Heaton) 49.55.