Young runners from Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools are making steady progress in this season’s Gwent Cross County League.

Jess, from Monmouth Girls’ Prep, and Seb, from Monmouth Boys’ Prep, led the way for Monmouth’s girls and boys respectively in a rain-swept third league fixture at Bryn Bach Park in Tredegar.

Jess finished 14th in the novice girls’ race, clocking 6:09.

Despite losing a shoe early in the novice boys’ race, Seb continued undeterred and was an impressive 22nd with 5:57.

Brothers Matthew (6:09) and Joshua (6:20) both hit good form and were 33rd and 42nd respectively in the boys’ race.

John (6:30) was 47th, just ahead of Thomas (6:32), who was 49th.

Edward, who came 60th, crossed the finishing line in 6:44 to cap a solid performance from the Monmouth boys in very tricky conditions.

In the girls’ race, Grace was Monmouth’s second female athlete home – after Jess – in 41st with 6:39.

Grace, with 7:00, was also inside the top 50 and was closely followed by Alice , 51st in 7:01, and Kezia, 53rd in 7:05.

Seren and Emily both showed plenty of commitment and determination to come 84th and 85th respectively with 7:46.

The boys’ A team are currently sixth in the novice boys’ team rankings, with the B team holding 17th place.

The girls’ A team are a respectable ninth in their section and the B team, 31st.

The cross-country runners from Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools will now have an extended winter break before the fourth Gwent League fixture in Pontypool on Saturday 9th February 2019.

Overall positions in the Gwent League after three races, Novice Boys, 17: Matthew, 24: Joshua; 43: Thomas; 45: Seb; 48: John; 49: Rupert; 81: Freddie; 83: Edwards ; 97: Tom; 103: Tom.

Novice girls, 17: Jess; 37: Alice; 44: Kezia; 56: Grace F; 65: Grace L; 95: Thandi; 125: Emily; 161: Seren.