HEREFORD Couriers runner Matt James returned to form in the second race of the Herefordshire Cross Country League when he pipped team-mate Tim Clarke to victory by just a second.

But the first and second for the two Couriers runners in the race at High Vinnals in the Mortimer Forest, near Ludlow, was not enough to prevent Wye Valley Runners, whose competitors filled the next four places, from taking the team prize.

Over the testing woodland course, Wye Valley, who had won the team prize in the first race with tight packing, saw Mike Fawcett, Christian Jones, John Pullen and Matt Ansfield finish from third to sixth to repeat their success.

Couriers, who will probably need to win the three remaining races to retain their title, finished just two points behind their arch rivals in second place with Croft Ambrey Running Club a creditable third.

Couriers' women are, however, favourites to retain their team title after occupying places from two to six. The race was won by Ludlow Runners' Penny Priest who marked her first league outing with a debut success.

Sally Bliss, Nikki Edwards and Alison Cooke finished in second, third and fourth respectively to ensure Couriers' success.

The third race in the series will take place at Holme Lacy on Sunday, December 3.

RESULTS Men: 1 Matt James (Hereford Couriers) 38.58, 2 Tim Clarke (HC) 38.59, 3 Mike Fawcett (Wye Valley Runners) 39.52, 4 Christian Jones (WVR) 40.55, 5 John Pullen (WVR) 41.10, 6 Matt Ansfield (WVR) 41.56, 7 Stacey Morgan (Croft Ambrey RC) 42.09, 8 Dave Williams (HC) 42.28, 9 Max Suff (HC) 42.30, 10 Bill Lloyd (HC) 43.13.

Women: 1 Penny Priest (Ludlow Runners) 23.30, 2 Sally Bliss (Hereford Couriers) 24.08, 3 Nikki Edwards (HC) 24.13, 4 Alison Cooke (HC) 24.26, 5 Jayne Littlewood (HC) 24.34, 6 Amy Carwardine (HC) 25.13, 7 Becki Ansfield (Wye Valley Runners) 25.40, 8 Mandy Evans (Presteigne Pacers) 25.59, 9 Sonia George (Ludlow Runners) 26.02, 10 Alex Look (WVR) 26.17.

Men's Team: 1 Wye Valley Runners 18, 2 Hereford Couriers 20, 3 Croft Ambrey RC 52, 4 Hereford Couriers B 59, 5 Wye Valley Runners B 92, 6 Ludlow Runners 95, 7 Presteigne Pacers 117, 8 Croft Ambrey RC B 123, 9 Ledbury and District Harriers 126, 10 Hereford Couriers C 152.

Women's Team: 1 Hereford Couriers 9, 2 Ludlow Runners 22, 3 Hereford Couriers B 24, 4 Wye Valley Runners 28, 5 Hereford Couriers C 52, 6 Wye Valley Runners B 56, 7 Ludlow Runners B 65, 8 Hereford Triathlon Club 71, 9 Wye Valley Runners C 75.