Newbury Athletic Club took two senior men’s teams to Wormwood Scrubs in West London last Saturday for the Southern Cross Country Relay Championships.

They produced a magnificent performance to secure a historic silver medal.

For senior men, the championship featured a four-stage relay, with each athlete completing a demanding 4km loop.

Newbury’s A team of Rob Corney, Matthew Quartermain, Danny Hawkins and Alex Aldridge lined up against some of the strongest clubs in the South of England.

Corney got the team off to a flying start on the opening leg, quickly establishing himself among the leading athletes from Crawley AC and Thames Valley Harriers as the trio broke away from the rest of the field.

After a superb opening run, Corney handed over to Quartermain in third place, just seconds behind the leaders.

Quartermain soon closed the gap and joined the leading pair, helping extend their lead over the chasing pack.

At the second handover, Newbury remained in third place but was still within striking distance of the front.

Hawkins took over for the crucial third leg and kicked hard early, surging past the Crawley athlete and set off in pursuit of the Thames Valley Harriers runner.

Another exceptional leg moved Newbury into second place, around 20 seconds behind the leaders but more than 30 seconds clear of Southampton AC, who were beginning a strong charge through the field.

Aldridge took on the anchor leg with the task of closing the gap ahead while defending Newbury’s podium position.

He responded brilliantly, reducing the deficit to just eight seconds while also holding off the fast-finishing Harry Smith of Southampton.

Aldridge crossed the line in second place, just behind title winners Thames Valley Harriers, to secure Newbury AC’s first-ever senior South of England cross-country medal.

Southampton were in 3rd, almost three minutes ahead of 4th place Crawley AC.

Newbury’s B team of Jacob Rainier, Peter Jewell, Rob Jewell and Michael Stone also enjoyed an outstanding race.

Their combined effort saw them finish sixth overall and as the first B team home.

In the process they defeated a number of clubs’ A teams, including county rivals Reading AC, whose first team finished in seventh.

Newbury AC cross country team manager Phil Marshall was delighted with the club’s performance and said: “I’m thrilled with this result for both the athletes and the club.

“This group of senior men is the strongest group of endurance runners we’ve had during my 12 years at Newbury AC, and I’m really optimistic about the remainder of the cross-country season.

“We also have a strong senior women’s squad preparing to start their season next weekend at the British Masters Cross Country Relays, as well as some very promising junior athletes coming through.

“It’s an exciting time for Newbury AC.”