Dorey run close by record-breaker Ray

JERSEY'S Island Games 1500m champion Elliott Dorey came to Delancey and conquered, but he will have left knowing that his CI middle distance crown may be tested in the years to come.

Dorey used his 800m pace to finally burn off young Danny Ray in the final stages of the three-mile race that opened this year's FNB Cross Country Series. He won in 15min. 38sec., just three seconds ahead of Ray who smashed the under-17 course record by 49sec.

With Steve Dawes and Mike Wilesmith not around to challenge him, the Caesarean might have expected things to be straightforward over the three circuits of one-mile undulating and twisting cross-country.

But Dorey had to dig deep to first burn off Michael Batiste and, then, finally the youngster whose reputation and emergence had been made known to the Jersey star.

'Unbelievable – he has run 10sec. faster for 1500 than I did at his age,' said Dorey, who plans to run more winter league races in the build-up to the Hampshire County Championships in early January.

'Hopefully I will get a few more in because I'm not planning to go over to the mainland. I can get just as good competition over here,' he said.

Louise Perrio claimed overall 11th spot to lead home the women in a time of 16-49, nine seconds and two places on rival Sarah Mercier.