Several members of West Cumberland Orienteering Club battled wintry conditions at the Northern Championships in Wharncliffe Woods near Sheffield.; a technical area of woodland with former mine workings, numerous boulders and intricate contour detail. Anyone can enter the event but only those from a Northern club can take the title.

The club returned with six Northern champions; Caitlin Irving who won the W16 class; Niamh Hunter second on W20 Elite; Charlotte Watson fourth on W21 Elite; Joe Hudd second on M16; Alastair Thomas second on M20 Elite; and Roger Thomas, first on M55 (short).

There were podium finishes for Issy Sunley second W14A; Ash Boothroyd second M10; Mike Pearson second M75 and Helen Winskill second W45 and top 10 performances from Wilf Teasdale, Jamie Rennie, Myrtle Ashworth, the Crawford family; Sophie, Emma and Alex; Daisy and Helen Rennie, Janette McHendry, Catherine Wetherfield, Zac Hudd and Daniel Spencer.

Two junior members, Joe Sunley and Charlie Rennie, travelled to France to compete for England in the Interland Cup; England’s only international competition outside the British Isles. The annual competition is a five-cornered match against two Belgian teams, the Netherlands and a team from France; with the team made up of 42 members aged from 14 to 60+.

Joe and Charlie had good solid runs and helped the England team to take the overall victory.

On Thursday night the club’s Spring series began around Harris Park and neighbouring streets in Cockermouth. There were four courses on offer. On the 4.3km senior long course, Jamie Rennie won in 27:15 minutes; with Ben Breeze and Dan Spencer joint second, only 40 seconds behind. Carol Edwards from Border Liners was first lady.

On the shorter senior course Caitlin Pearson took the win in 20:46 minutes; from Stuart Crawford and Roger Jackson.

Charlie Rennie showed good form to take the win on the 3.1km junior long course in 21: 38 minutes, from Niamh Hunter first lady and David Rodger.

On the novice course Eva Humphreys was first, ahead of George Rennie and Anne Mellor.

In the coming weeks the Spring series continues with events in Keswick, Whitehaven and Camerton that are particularly good for novices and families. For further information visit www.wcoc.co.uk.