8:00am Thursday 26th July 2012
LUKE Mason and Suzanne Turvey took the top individual honours at the third race of the Herefordshire Summer Off Road League at Westhope.
With one event remaining, the pair are now hot favourites for the overall title as are Wye Valley Runners in the team event.
Wye Valley’s Mason had to work hard to hold off the challenge of Hereford Couriers’ duo Matt James and Eliot Taylor and teammate John Pullen in the closest finish of the season.
He unleashed a devastating finish which saw him record his third straight win by just three seconds from James with Pullen a further 10 seconds back.
In the women’s race, Hereford & County’s Clara Evans made a fast start but was gradually reeled in by Croft Ambrey’s Turvey.
The Cardiff University medical student made a decisive break to win her second successive race comfortably by 47 seconds, in 22nd place overall.
Evans held off the challenge of fast-finishing Ludlow Runner Claire Thomas to take second place by just two seconds.
Wye Valley Runners recorded their third successive team victory with Mason and Pullen reinforced by another persistent run from Mike Fawcett in sixth place and a vigorous effort from Kathryn King in 32 place overall.
Reigning champions Croft Ambrey were 13 points adrift but continue to battle to defend their title with Turvey’s inspiring performance supported by Simon Norwood in eighth, Mark Lamonby 10th and Dave Ameghino 15th.
Hereford Couriers gave signs of a return to form with their first top-three placing of the season thanks to Matt James, Taylor in fourth place, Luke James fifth and Alison Cooke 63rd.
Wye Valley now hold a healthy lead of 27 points over Croft Ambrey with just one race, at Shobdon on Wednesday starting at 7.15pm, remaining.
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