IN THE Kent Cross-Country Championships at Wildernesse School in Sevenoaks there were differing fortunes for the region's athletes.

Blackheath and Bromley (B&B) Athletic Club had the best day taking home medals from eight of the 10 age groups - their haul of four golds, three silver and one bronze bettered their performance last year.

In the under-17 boys group Bexley Athletic Club just missed out on a medal finishing fourth overall.

B&B's individual highlight of the day was the confident front running of Amy Smith in the under-15 girls race.

The Newstead Woods schoolgirl retained the title she won last year and in so doing achieved a double double because along with teammates Amy DeMatos in third and Rebecca Smith finishing sixth they retained the team gold for B&B.

James Poole led the under-20 men to a team gold medal taking the individual bronze medal and only missing out on silver in a sprint finish. Andrew Conway in fifth and Richard Daniel in sixth completed the scoring.

Both B&B under-17 teams won gold when, for the girls and despite still recovering from a virus, Katie Murray started steadily before moving through to take third place and with Rebecca Taylor in fifth and Lauren Smith 15th they recorded a narrow two-point win over Medway and Maidstone (M&M).

For the men Jonathan Vintner was first home for B&B in 5th place and with Danny Brewer eighth, Richard Davies in ninth and Alex Bruce-Littlewood 15th they enjoyed a six point win over Tonbridge.

Bexley's James Walker finished sixth, just two seconds behind Vintner, while Jack Legon took 19th, Luis Crane took 29th, Luke Hayes finished 34th and Lawrence Easterbrook in 39th which, as a team, was put them fourth behind M&M, Tonbridge and B&B.

In the under-17 women for Bexley Sian Chalkley took seventh and Louisa Jenner was 22nd with Dartford Harrier Hayley Hickmott finishing seventh.

B&B's Bryony Proctor flew the flag in the junior women's race finishing in a good fifth place but injury and illness prevented B&B from completing a team.

The under-15 B&B boys team picked up silver medals through Stephen Cavey in sixth, Cameron Ward in 26th, Oliver Robinson in 36th and Calum Fraser in 37th.

In the under-15 women's race B&B, as we have heard took top spot, whereas Bexley's Jenny Cusselle took 15th, Jaime Binder took 25th and Charis Tanner took 31st to take sixth spot overall.

For Dartford, who finished seventh in the under-15 women's race, Ellie Denton was their highest-placed runner in 14th.

At under-13 level B&B women took bronze, missing out on gold by just five points, with Michelle Fewster finishing a fine second, Danielle Critchley taking eighth and Sophie Gordon in 12th.

Chloe Slater and Rebecca Farrell in 13th and 14th respectively flew the flag for Bexley.

In the under-13 men B&B took overall silver with Hector Kurtyanek having his best ever run finishing fifth. Philip Sesemann was seventh, Robert Yates took 10th and Oliver Taylor was 17th.

B&B's Shauvan Henry was the first senior woman out of 77 starters home in seventh place and with Siobhan Budd placing 10th and Fran Green taking 19th they picked up silver medals in the first three athletes to score' contest.

In the first six athletes to score' contest Bella Clayton's 21st, Kate Pratten's 24 and Annie McDonough's 34th helped B&B to second again.

For Bexley's senior women Claire Colmer took sixth and Breda Goss was 68th.

The B&B senior men running in a field of 192, had to settle for fourth in the first six athletes to score' contest for the second year running led by Jamie Atkinson in eighth. Peter Tucker showed a good return to form by placing 14th and the scoring was completed by Alex Gibbins in 20th, veteran Alan Camp in 34th, David McKinlay coming 41st and another veteran Roy Smith in 45th.

In the first 12 athletes to score' contest they took third with Daniel Ryan finishing 47th, Mark Ellison taking 69th, Mick Jones in 112th, Darryl Hilliar in 118th, Richard Hall taking 121st and Andy Tucker in 163rd.

The Istead and Ifield Harriers had runners in the senior races. Results: Men: Ray Pearce, 52nd; Andy Alison, 66th; Derek George, 80th; Steve Cable, 97th and Bob Carter, 181st.

Women: Tanya Yates, 53rd and Dawn McDonald, 67th.