WYE Valley Runners had a day to remember at the second race of the 2015/2016 Herefordshire Cross Country League season at Croft Castle.

Nine runners finished in the top 15 places in the women's race to earn the team honours.

A record field of 212 athletes took part in the event, with the women running a shorter distance than the men.

Maldwyn Harriers' Nicola Davies, who finished second in the opening fixture at Fforest Fields in Builth Wells, took command of the race from the start as she fought her way through the mud to build a decisive lead and win the race by 27 seconds.

Behind her were three Wye Valley members.

Laura Tootell, the Summer League champion, led them with a typically spirited run to take a clear second place.

Just five seconds separated the next four places, but it was a back-to-form Becky Davies and first race winner Gintare Gaigaliene who prevailed to record a categorical team triumph. Daneen Hughes, in sixth place, backed by Maria Miles in eighth and Jo Morgan-Ralph in 12th continued the Wye Valley supremacy by finishing in a clear second team.

It was only by a single point that the Ludlow Runners' team of Amy Fulford, Shannon Gilbert and Emily Hinton prevented the Wye Valley 'C' team, completing a clean sweep as they finished fourth to affirm the club's exceptional strength in depth.

A record 83 women entered the race.

Meanwhile, Maldwyn's Tim Davies completed an individual double for his club by registering his sixth successive league victory.

Hereford Couriers’ Eliot Taylor bravely chased Davies over the first lap but paid the price for his tenacious challenge as he was later overtaken by Builth’s Tim Iveson, who recorded his second successive runner-up place.

Davies led his Maldwyn team to their first league victory with home club Croft Ambrey R.C. finishing second thanks to battling displays from Stacey Morgan in 5th, Mark Lamonby (7th), Sam Mayglothling (8th) and Dave George (23rd).

Taylor’s return meant that Couriers finished just one point adrift in third place with important contributions from Matt James (4th), Russell James (9th) and Mike Link 28th.

After two races, Maldwyn and Croft Ambrey share the lead in the battle for the league title, with Wye Valley just one point behind.

Towards the rear of the field, there were two noteworthy performances in the shape of 72-year-old Brian Davies and Harry Franklin, who is a few days short of his 80th birthday.

Davies continued his impressive sequence of having competed in every one of the 31 races at Croft Castle, while Farnklin maintained his record of being the oldest runner to compete in the Herefordshire Leagues.

The next race will be at Ufton Court on Sunday, November 29.