Christian von Eitzen made a winning comeback after four months on the sidelines with a sparkling victory in the Vale of White Horse Schools’ Cross Country Championships at Radley College.

The 14-year-old from European School, Culham, has been out of action with shin splints and a knee injury.

But he put his problems behind him to storm home from Abingdon’s Michael Fabes and repeat last year’s win in the under 15 boys’ race.

Von Eitzen said: “It was quite hard coming back, but It was good to win something again, and get the adrenaline pumping.”

Joshua Ridley led home a one-two for Abingdon in the under 19 boys’ race from Alistair Duff, who took the under 17 honours 12 months ago.

Victory in that age group this time went to Ben Upjohn (Matthew Arnold, Cumnor), who beat Abingdon’s Thomas Kelly.

Robbie Crowther triumphed at under 13 to lead John Mason to victory in the team race, with Max Nolan (Fitzharry’s, Abingdon) runner-up.

Abingdon came out on top in the three other age groups, and also took the Milton Trophy for the team aggregate title.

Gemma Bridge and Imogen Kempton repeated their triumphs of 12 months ago as St Helen & St Katharine, Abingdon, provided three of the girls’ winners – and took all four team races.

Bridge was first home at under 19 from Nadia Bates (European), while Kempton beat teammate Cordelia Parker in a repeat of last year’s finish to the under 17 race.

Flora Insley completed St Helen & St Katharine’s treble by taking the under 13 race, which also helped the Abingdon school to the team aggregate title.

Josie Harrison (King Alfred’s, Wantage) prevented a clean sweep with victory over Katherine Ellis (St Helen & St Katharine) in the under 15 race.

RESULTS.

Boys.

Under 19: 1 J Ridley (Abingdon), 2 A Duff (Abingdon), 3 J Cornish (King Alfred’s). Team: 1 Abingdon, 2 European.

Under 17: 1 B Upjohn (Matthew Arnold), 2 T Kelly (Abingdon), 3 G Towesy (John Mason). Team: 1 Abingdon, 2 European, 3 John Mason Under 15: 1 C von Eitzen (European), 2 M Fabes (Abingdon), 3 T Curtis (Abingdon). Team: 1 Abingdon, 2 Radley, 3 European.

Under 13: 1 R Crowther (John Mason), 2 M Nolan (Fitz), 3 T McClimont (Matthew Arnold). Team: 1 John Mason, 2 Abingdon, 3 European.

Milton Trophy (team aggregate): 1 Abingdon, 2 John Mason, 3 Euro-pean.

Girls.

Under 19: 1 G Bridge (St Helen & St Katharine), 2 N Bates (European), 3 B Murphy-Hand (King Alfred’s). Team: 1 St Helen & St Katharine, 2 European, 3 King Alfred’s.

Under 17: 1 I Kempton (St Helen & St Katharine), 2 C Parker (St Helen & St Katharine), 3 S Lloyd (King Alfred’s). Team: 1 St Helen & St Katharine, 2 King Alfred’s, 3 Our Lady’s.

Under 15: 1 J Harrison (King Alfred’s), 2 K Ellis (St Helen & St Katharine), 3 M Bull (Our Lady’s). Team: 1 St Helen & St Katharine, 2 Our Lady’s, 3 Euro-pean.

Under 13: 1 F Insley (St Helen & St Katharine), 2 V Tilling (King Alfred’s), 3 F Bunn (St Helen & St Katharine). Teams: 1 St Helen & St Katharine, 2 King Alfred’s, 3 Fitzharry’s.

Team aggregate: 1 St Helen & St Katharine, 2 European, 3 King Alfred’s.