TWO runners shared the men's overall title in the Herefordshire Cross Country League for the first time in the competition's history.

Going into the final race of the season on Sunday, hosted by Presteigne Pacers, Tim Clarke knew that he had to win to be in title contention against leader Matt James.

Clarke pushed the pace from the first steep climb and extended his lead to win by more than a minute from his Hereford Couriers team-mate James, meaning that both runners finished with two first places and two second places and shared the title.

Couriers' perennial rivals for the team competition, Wye Valley Runners packed their four counting runners into the next five places in a brave bid to grab a share of the team title.

But Couriers veteran Dave Williams saved his best race of the season to split the Wye Valley athletes and finish in fifth place. This and Bill Lloyd's 10th place ensured a two-point victory for Couriers and their third successive team title.

Individual medals were awarded to the first three in each age category for the best four results over the five-race series.

Five of these winners, Martin Flowers (over 45), Steve Herrington (over 55), Guy Whitmarsh (over 60), Harry Franklin (over 65) and Tony Hewson (over 70) were undefeated throughout the series.

Jane Rowlands, of Ludlow Runners, was a comfortable winner in the women's race and her third win in the series enabled her to recapture the individual title that she last won three years ago.

Rowlands came home ahead of the Hereford Couriers duo Nikki Edwards and Alison Cooke and, with Sally Bliss completing the Couriers team in fifth place, the city club recaptured the team title from Wye Valley Runners.

PRESTEIGNE PACE RESULTS

Men: 1 Tim Clarke (Hereford Couriers) 36 min 37 sec, 2 Matt James (HC) 37.49, 3 Richard Worth (Wye Valley Runners) 38.16, 4 John Pullan (WVR) 38.19, 5 Dave Williams (HC) 38.31, 6 Neil Chapman (WVR) 38.51, 7 Mike Fawcett (WVR) 39.31, 8 Simon Norwood (Ludlow Runners) 39.52, 9 Richie Roberts (WVR) 39.59, 10 Bill Lloyd (HC) 40.39.

Team: 1 Hereford Couriers 18, 2 Wye Valley Runners 20, 3 Hereford Couriers B 61, 4 Wye Valley Runners B 74, 5 Croft Ambrey 79.

Women: 1 Jane Rowlands (Ludlow Runners) 23.21, 2 Nikki Edwards (Hereford Couriers) 24.15, 3 Alison Cooke (HC) 24.27, 4 Sue Davies (Presteigne Pacers) 24.31, 5 Sally Bliss (HC) 24.55, 6 Alex Look (WVR) 25.13, 7 Jayne Littlewood (HC) 25.36, 8 Lisa Quinn (HC) 26.34, 9 Becki Ansfield (WVR) 26.35, 10 Amy Carwardine (HC) 26.37.

Team: 1 Hereford Couriers 10, 2 Hereford Couriers B 25, 3 Wye Valley Runners 26, 4 Ludlow Runners 32, 5 Wye Valley Runners B 50.

Series Results

Men- Overall Winners: Tim Clarke and Matt James.

Senior Men: =1 Tim Clarke (HC), Matt James (HC), 3 Simon Norwood (LR).

Veteran 40: 1 Richie Richards (WVR), 2 Dave Williams (HC), 3 Max Suff (HC).

Veteran 45: 1 Martin Flowers (WVR), 2 John Lyden (LR), 3 Mark Adams (HC).

Veteran 50: 1 Steve Littlewood (HC), 2 Geoff Kay (HC), 3 Dave Lloyd (PP).

Veteran 55: 1 Steve Herrington (HC), 2 Gary Gunner (Croft Ambrey), 3 Peter Smith (WVR).

Veteran 60: 1 Guy Whitmarsh (CA), 2 Geoff Wakeford (PP).

Veteran 65: 1 Harry Franklin (WVR).

Veteran 70: Tony Hewson (LR).

Junior: Luke Mammatt (Hereford & County AC).

Team: 1 Hereford Couriers, 2 Wye Valley Runners, 3 Hereford Couriers B

Women - Overall Winner: Jane Rowlands

Senior Women: 1 Sally Bliss (HC), 2 Alex Look (WVR), 3 Lisa Quinn (HC).

Veteran 35: Nikki Edwards (HC), 2 Nicola Page (Ledbury & District Harriers), 3 Nicki Innes (WVR).

Veteran 40: Jane Rowlands (LR), 2 Sue Davies (PP), 3 Alison Cooke (HC).

Veteran 45: Jayne Littlewood (HC), 2 Jo Sharp (LR).

Team: 1 Hereford Couriers, 2 Wye Valley Runners, 3 Ludlow Runners.