VALE Royal Athletics Club claimed another national title when their under 15s girls took gold at the English Road Relays.

Two of their team members, Grace Roberts and Holly Weedall, took first prize as under 13s at last year’s event.

That duo joined forces with Faye Conboy at Sutton Park last weekend to leave their closest-rivals trailing 17 seconds adrift.

Weedall was again their star turn.

After starting the final leg in fifth position, she sat second halfway through a 3.88km circuit with a gap to narrow on Jasmine Young (Windsor, Slough, Eton and Hounslow).

The Weaverham High School student passed the runner in front before clocking the fastest split in the field at the Birmingham venue.

The trio’s aggregate time of 42:31 would have been fast enough to deny City of Norwich gold in the under 17s girls’ category.

From left, Grace Roberts, Faye Conboy and Holly Weedall with their medals after winning gold for Vale Royal Athletics Club at the English National Autumn Road Relays. Picture: David Roberts

Vale Royal were represented in that age-group by twins Lucy and Holly Smith and Ellie Grinnell.

Victors at the Northern Road Relays a fortnight earlier, they missed out on a bronze medal by just nine seconds.

Holly had taken over from Grinnell, who was slowed by a heavy cold, in 14th position and stormed past rivals in front by running the third-best leg of the race.

The club fielded three teams in the senior women’s race, consisting of four legs of 4.33km, and the first of those classified inside the top 20.

Liz Renondeau, Chloe Broad, Andrea Hilldrup and Sarah Murphy, who climbed the order after starting the last leg in 23rd position, performed admirably.

Meanwhile Sophie Smith, Katie Brough, Katelyn Mooney and Emma Pyatt ranked inside the top 50.

A third women’s quartet featured Siobhan Tarbuck racing in the club's distinctive blue and gold vest for the first time in 15 years.

There was a familiar face on the podium afterwards too when former Vale Royal star Stevie Stockton, who ran the opening leg, collected a silver medal with her Leeds City Athletics Club teammates Lucy Crookes, Georgia Malir and Claire Duck.

The senior men fielded two teams in their category as a reward for an impressive showing at last month’s regional championships in Manchester.

Cameron Weaver, Chris Perry, Harry Dexter, Jacob Brown, Arun Dight and Stuart Doyle crossed the line in 36th place.

Results (selected and complete Vale Royal AC teams only)

English National Autumn Road Relays

At Sutton Park, Birmingham

Saturday, October 6

Senior men: 36. Vale Royal A (Cameron Weaver, Chris Perry, Harry Dexter, Jacob Brown, Arun Dight, Stuart Doyle) 1:54.12; 62. Vale Royal B (Ben Lee, Josh Betteley, Alex Doyle, Matt Rowlinson, John Humphries, George Thompson) 2:01.04.

Senior women: 19. Vale Royal A (Liz Renondeau, Chloe Broad, Andrea Hilldrup, Sarah Murphy) 1:04.43; 47. Vale Royal B (Sophie Smith, Katie Brough, Katelyn Mooney, Emma Pyatt) 1:10.48; 61. Vale Royal C (Siobhan Tarbuck, Helen Smith, Lisa Meadows, Debbie Broad) 1:15.54.

Under 17s boys: 25. Vale Royal A (Sam Stephens, Will McKay, Ed Pettitt) 39:18; 54. Vale Royal B (Matthew Tucker, Sam Washington, Aaron Doyle) 43:38.

Under 17s girls: 4. Vale Royal (Lucy Smith, Ellie Grinnell, Holly Smith) 43:23.

Under 15s girls: 1. Vale Royal A (Faye Conboy, Grace Roberts, Holly Weedall) 42:31; 56. Vale Royal B (Ellie Hudson, Thea Smith, Rebecca Nixon) 50:07.

Under 13s boys: 61. Vale Royal (Harry Godwin, Oli Washington, Tom Taylor) 51:06.

Under 13s girls: 21. Vale Royal (Alice Gale, Hope Smith, Tarlia Higginbotham) 47:46.