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Match 1 of the 2025-26 Downs League Competition saw 13 Holland runners take on the short and fast Epsom Downs cross-country course on Saturday 2nd November.  With Holland Sports’ “teams” typically in the top half of finishers – there is the prospect of some great racing in future fixtures.  Fourteen of Surrey’s athletics clubs were involved in the first fixture so it was great that the young athletes from Holland Sports got to pit themselves against the best that Surrey – traditionally one of the strongest running counties in the country – has to offer.

Our top finisher on the day was Holly C., 8th in the Under 15 Girls race. Under 17 athlete, Mia C. (13th), Under 13 athlete, Ella F. (15th), Under 17  runners Jacob L. (17th) all finished in the top 20 finishers in their individual races after pushing to achieve great performances.

In the Under 11 Girls race, the team finished a very creditable 9th place. The girls are emerging as a real team, packing well. Led home by Maisie W. in 23rd place (10.10), she was backed up well by Esme C. (31st in 10.22) and Isla H. (39th in 10.41). In the Under 11 Boys race, Joe S. (55th out of 105 runners) showed real spirit, competing for the first time in the blue and white of Holland Sports.

The Under 13 Boys race saw Oscar S. (44th– 14.13) and Thomas S. (46th – 14.19) continue to improve in tactics and racing. Holland’s Under 13 Girls showed their flying form and improved confidence with Ella F. (15th – 13.13), Eloise R. (26th– 14.29) and Maisie C. (40th – 14.48) all finishing well.

Holly C. broke into the top 10 finishers in the Under 15s Girls race, coming home a very creditable 8th. The Under 17 Boys race saw spirited performances  from Jacob L. (17th), Thomas E. (21st) whilst Mia C. came home in 13th place in the Under 17 Girls race to help our Under 17s athletes to 7th team placing ahead of some our big Surrey rivals.

With stronger Holland teams certainly  possible (individually and with numbers) further progress at the Downs League Match #2 on 30th November is very possible: well run all the junior and intermediate Holland runners.