HOLLY Weedall made an impressive return when the British Cross Challenge resumed in Liverpool last weekend.

The Vale Royal Athletics Club star, a victor during the opening round in Cardiff, was third in an under 15s girls’ race won convincingly by Beatrice Wood (City of Salisbury) at Sefton Park.

Weedall followed Anna Hedley (Fife AC) to the finish while Vale Royal’s Grace Roberts, recovering from a heavy cold, crossed the line inside the top 20.

Holly Weedall, left, takes an early lead during the under 15s girls' race at the British Cross Challenge round in Liverpool last weekend. Picture: Rob Brown/Vale Royal AC

Alice Gale classified sixth in the under 13s girls’ race.

Patrick Griffith pulled away from clubmate Jake Wilson in the final 200m to edge their race-long battle in the under 15s boys’ class and rank inside first 30 to reach the finish.

Jake Wood, left, leads Vale Royal Athletics Club teammate Patrick Griffith through a wooded section of Sefton Park during the under 15s boys' race on Saturday. Picture: Rob Brown/Vale Royal AC

Jacob Williamson was 27th for Vale Royal in the under 13s boys’ race.

Dry weather and a flat course created near-perfect conditions for fast times in the older age-group categories, which doubled as trials for next month’s European Cross Country Championships.

Jacob Brown was 82nd in a high-class senior men’s race won by Ross Millington (Stockport Harriers) while Esme Bridge, running in Lancaster University colours, contested a senior women’s race that ended with Charlotte Arter (Cardiff) celebrating victory.

The series' fourth fixture takes place in Belfast in January.

Results (selected Vale Royal AC members only)

British Cross Challenge

Third Round

Saturday, November 24

At Sefton Park, Liverpool

Senior men: 82. Jacob Brown 30:45; 602. Richard Pettitt 52:03.

Senior women: 140. Esme Bridge 36:08.

Under 17s boys: 67. Ed Pettitt 19:08; 108. Will McKay 20:38.

Under 15s boys: 28. Patrick Griffith 10:16; 33. Jake Wilson 10:18; 73. Dylan Carney 11:04.

Under 15s girls: 3. Holly Weedall 10:35; 16. Grace Roberts 11:08; 76. Ellie Hudson 12:21.

Under 13s boys: 27. Josh Williamson 11:20; 69. Ben Fisher 12:08.

Under 13s girls: 6. Alice Gale 11:31.

Under 11s girls: 41. Erin Carney 8:29.