YORK-BASED Kim Critchley continued his fine form with fifth place in the Northern Cross Country Championships at Manchester.

"I felt good throughout the race and I am looking forward to the Nationals," said Critchley.

He led Knavesmire Harriers home on a fast and undulating course as the club finished the highest ranked from North Yorkshire.

Critchley was backed up by Cameron Brookes (82nd), W Kaye (156th), N Strange (158th), D Eiser (195th) and B Atkinson (210th) as they finished 12th in the team event just behind Horwich RMI Harriers.

Knavesmire's other finishers were K Langhan (222nd), D Hendley (230th) and R Gott (605th).

In the Ladies race, Helen Wilcox finished just behind K Ellinson (Vale Royal) and a second away from a top ten finish.

The Knavesmire team ended up in 18th place just behind Ilkley and will head to the nationals in Sunderland in good heart.

Knavesmire Ladies' other scoring runners were Aislyn Austin (80th), Aby George Plunkitt (91st), Katie Godfrey (126th) and Andrea Lancaster (154th).