Athletics: England will be represented by Bingley Harriers in Sunday's European Clubs Cross Country Championships in Lisbon.

The Harriers earned this distinction after a tremendous team performance in the National at Roundhay Park, Leeds, last March.

This will be the fourth time Bingley have carried the flag into Europe and only Mick Hawkins out of this weekend's squad has appeared in each one.

The Pateley Bridge design and technology teacher clinched the Yorkshire steeplechase title back in May and has produced some superb times on the roads this winter, most notably in the 10km events at Edinburgh, Barnsley and Leeds.

His team-mates on Friday's flight out to Portugal will be his brother Steve, who was a runner-up to Richard Findlow at Guiseley two weeks ago, Steve Green, Colin Moore, Matt Whitfield and Andy Peace with John Converey, a travelling reserve.

Although a strong line-up, Bingley's men will be up against top clubs from Italy, Spain and host nation Portugal whose athletes are predominantly international class, so a top six finish should be viewed as a creditable performance.

Colin Moore admits to feeling confident but doesn't anticipate a repeat of a magnificent third placing achieved in the 1997 event, in Caceres in Spain.

So it will be a weakened Bingley men's team who will travel to Sheffield on Saturday for the North of England Cross Country Championships. It will be a different story, however, for the women if they can turn out a full team.

Bingley's Carol Greenwood has been troubled with injury since taking the Yorkshire title at Rotherham and the fitness of young Victoria Wilkinson is also in doubt. Ruth Whitehead, Meryl Dodd and 800m track specialist Angie Bretherick will appear as will the highly talented veteran Sue Carriss.

Despite a disliking for off road events Sue uses them to build up her stamina and strength which will be needed this weekend as she also aims to tackle the Brass Monkey Half Marathon at York the day after, which incorporates the Yorkshire Half Marathon Champion-ships.

The 49-year-old was an outright winner there last year in a quick 84-24 and will defend her title if she recovers from her exploits in the South Yorkshire mud.

Carriss's next door neighbour Victoria Stainburn is a member of Bingley's talented under-15 squad and will join forces with Grace Bendle and Rachel Smith in hoping to make an impact at Sheffield.

Keighley and Craven will be sending a squad for the cross country event although Adrian Jones hasn't finally decided who will travel.

Martin Horbury opts out of the race though in preparation for the prestigious Dewsbury 10km the week after.

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