SOUTH Essex athletes made big contributions to help their county have another successful day at the South of England Intercounties Championships.

Essex won four team medals at the championships in Bedfordshire while Gemma Holloway and Jodie Judd both won individual prizes.

Thurrock Harrier Holloway, 18, was second in the under-20 women’s race and helped lead a team which included Basildon AC’s Emma Houchell (15th) and Benfleet RC’s Victoria Hiscock (23rd) to team bronze medals.

Canvey Islander Judd continued her fine winter season with a third place in the under-17 women’s race. Her team came so close to emulating the under-20s by winning a bronze medal but fell just short in fourth place.

Benfleet’s Sinead Clark was the third Essex counter home in 22nd place and Basildon AC’s Niamh Smith the fourth Essex scorer to finish in 40th. Smith’s club-mate Megan Rapley was 82nd.

The Essex under-15 girls squad won silver medals after a superb team performance that saw the top four scorers all finish in the top 17 places.

Among them were Thurrock Harriers’ Amber Pullinger who had a superb run for fifth place and Southend AC’s Joanna Rimmington who also ran well for 10th. Thurrock Harriers’ Hayley Instance was 42nd.

Essex senior women’s team were bronze medal winners with Southend AC’s Claire Cornwell coming home as the fourth counter in 29th place. Her club-mate Kerry Holland finished in 39th place.

The final Essex team to win medals were the under-13 boys who picked up bronzes. Thurrock Harriers’ Harry Parker was the second Essex scorer in this team in eighth place while Basildon AC’s Daniel Houchell was 54th and Thurrock Harriers’ Finlay Lowe 65th.

Abi Ives, of Basildon AC, finished in seventh place in the under-13 girls race, leading home the Essex team that eventually finished in sixth place.

Basildon’s Mason Webb had a good run in the under-17 men’s race finishing 21st and second Essex scorer.

Southend AC’s Toby Wright finished in 55th position.