Oxford City's Melissa Hawtin made a fine start to the cross country season with a storming finish to claim the bronze medal in the under 15 girls' race in the first round of the UK Cross Challenge at Senneleys Park, Birmingham.

Running over a three kilometre course, Hawtin was just off the pace in the early stages, but, along with teammate Bea Swords, stayed in close contention at the back of a leading pack of ten runners.

The fast pace did not seem to unduly trouble Hawtin, and in the excellent conditions, she always seemed to have something in reserve.

Over the final kilometre, Hawtin showed a tremendous burst of pace as she closed in on the leaders, taking the bronze medal in a time of 11mins 15secs - just ten seconds behind the winner.

Swords also kept up the pace, finishing 15 seconds further back in seventh.

Radley newcomer Jade Williams, in her first outing for the club, came home in 17th place in 11.58.

In the under 13 girls' race, Bea's younger sister, Beth, was making her debut in the series, and came home a creditable eighth in 10mins 57secs.

There was further local success in the boys' event, with Radley's under 15 team taking pride of place with a bronze medal.

Philippe Manning, George Miller and Stuart Ferguson finished strongly to bring the team home in third place.

Manning led his team home in 16th place, crossing the line in 10.53. Miller was 26th in 11.07, with Ferguson finishing 34th in 11.23.

Starting in 1997 as a competition to bring together the country's top cross country runners, the Cross Challenge is a series of races held throughout the winter that culminates in the national final in Nottingham in February.

The next leg of the competition takes place at Liverpool's Sefton Park on Saturday, November 25.