MAX Nicolle was one of Bicester’s star performers in the first round of the Oxford Mail Cross Country League at Newbury Showground.

The teenager finished eighth in the combined under 15/17 race – crossing as the fourth under 15 runner in a time of 17mins 23secs.

Teammate Edward Joliffe came 29th on his debut, ahead of Samuel Worfolk, who was 31st.

Michael Alborzpour and Zachira Singer also made their first appearances in the league, finishing 37th and 46th respectively.

Bicester’s Lucy McGrath put in a strong performance in the under 13 girls’ race, crossing ninth.

Imogen Cox was 13th, while Amy Willis came home 20th.

Amelia Cox produced her best cross country display when finishing 11th in the combined under 15/17 race.

She was seventh out of the under 15 runners, despite it being her first year in the age group.

Lucy Tear came home 46th overall.

Michael Cadle, who is more accustomed to track and field, finished 11th in the under 13 boys’ race, just ahead of debutant and 14th-placed Timothy Jones.

Clubmate Sami Singer was 31st.

The younger Bicester runners endured a tough day, with Owen Stocker their highest-placed finisher in the under 11 boys’ race when finishing 28th.

Kyle Ramson also competed, crossing 57th.

In the girls’ equivalent, Alanna O’Neill and Bethany Wetton were 30th and 37th respectively.

Isabel Smith was 17th and Annie Rose Willis 24th in the under 9 boys and girls event.

Meanwhile, Alchester’s Jamie Bagnall and Andrew Stickley finished 35th and 36th respectively in the senior men’s race.

In the women’s event, clubmate Sam Usher was 21st and Sarah Rendell 33rd.