If the haul of medals and three trophies is anything to go by, Monmouth School Cross-Country Club has had their best year ever.  Way back in October, boys from years 8 to 11 ran strongly to win both the year 8/9 and 10/11 sections of the S.E. Wales County Championships. Running in the year 8/9 section were Alex Davies, Oliver Weeden, Dominic Callaghan, David Middleton, Harri Jones and John Parker. Competing for the year 10/11's were Alastair Lee, Joseph Hooton, James Middleton, Sam Harris and Alex Townsend. On the basis of these Championships, no less than 13 boys of all ages were selected to represent S.E. Wales. Three weeks ago, in a nail-biting finish to the Brecon league, Monmouth School's juniors and seniors both won the fourth and final fixture to therefore win outright.  Each team won a trophy and 6 team medals, which were allocated to the most consistently successful runners. Running in the winning junior team were David Middleton, Alex Davies, William England, Harri Jones, Oliver Weeden and John Parker, and for the seniors Calum Kinloch, Joseph Hooton, James Middleton, Sam Harris, David Love and Nick Roberts. The season culminated last week with the Worcester Relays and the St John's School, Porthcawl Tournament.  In the Worcester Relays, Monmouth's U15 team, made up by James Middleton, David Middleton, Alex Davies, Joseph Hooton, Oliver Weeden and Sam Harris, won 3rd place medals, beating King Henry VIII Coventry, Bromsgrove, Shrewsbury and the hosts RGS Worcester, amongst others.  Sam Harris deserves particular mention.  He started the final leg in a complete vacuum, 63 seconds ahead of 4th placed Marling School.  Fortunately he pushed himself all the way, and it was only in the latter stages that the Marling boy caught him.  This boy, it transpired, not only had the fastest lap time (by far) of all the juniors, but was also faster than any of the seniors, and was disappointed this year not to get selected for England a year under-age!  Sam, with typical determination, saw off the challenge and finished 5 seconds ahead. Finally, in the Porthcawl Tournament, Monmouth's U13 team were narrowly beaten by Cowbridge Comprehensive School, but the U16 team enjoyed sweet revenge by gaining the first 4 places, and thus the trophy and gold medals! In first place was Joseph Hooton, second George Shirlaw, third Sam Harris and fourth Oliver Weeden.