Athletes from the borough of Croydon struggled at the Surrey Schools Cross-Country Championship in Reigate last weekend.

Only able to field complete teams in seven of the 12 races, the borough's north and south reputation was saved by a handful of shining individual performances.

These were topped by Harley Norman, a junior from Whitgift School, who prevailed in a tight finish with to win by four seconds from a strongly challenging Merton rival.

The two were in a class of their own finishing more than 20 seconds ahead of the third place runner.

Olivia Thompson was the next highest placed runner - the Croydon High Girl finished third in the year seven race just a few seconds adrift of second spot.

Trinity School's Angus Harrington’s seventh spot in the intermediate boys' race holds hope for the future since he has a further year in the age group.

He and his Trinity team-mates, Michael Eagling, and Corry and Neil Kesterton made up the highest placed Croydon team (north), in fifth position.

Ninth-placed Whitgift student Thomas Blake led his junior boys team home with a well earned ninth place, while Amy Miller of Harris CP missed the top 10 by one place and just four seconds in her U15 girls' event.

Croydon’s best three team results were: U17 boys' north Croydon - fifth, U13 boys' south Croydon - sixth, U15 boys' south Croydon - seventh.

Further local interest focused on ace U17 John Fisher athlete Ricky Lukakome (Sutton), who romped victorious, in splendid isolation, 21 seconds ahead of the runner up.

This fine run helped Sutton to second place in the team competition