CROFT Ambrey Running Club saw off their rivals to clinch the Herefordshire Summer Off Road League series for the first time since 2011.

Just 11 points separated the top three teams at the start of the re-arranged final race held at Westhope hosted by Hereford Couriers.

Builth & District RC's Jonny Pugh registered a clean sweep of individual victories with his fourth successive race win of the series to be crowned the 2018 individual champion.

However, on this occasion he was made to battle for the victory with Croft Ambrey's Andy Salt, running in only his second race of the summer series.

Salt matched him stride for stride for over half of the race but the Builth runner's strength on the hills finally prevailed and he took victory with a winning margin of 15 seconds.

Salt's return to the Croft team was highly influential as he led them to the Summer League title.

The consistent Mark Lamonby fought hard in the closing stages to finish fourth on the night while teenagers Sam Roberts and Will Gore recorded 15th and 25th places respectively for the Croft team.

With four men and two women counting for the team prize the female contingent play a valuable role.

A committed Irina Dale forged her way to 32nd place and she was well supported by Gemma Mallett in 41st for Croft Ambrey.

Ludlow's Amy Fulford, having missed the previous race, returned to action with another assured and assertive performance, in 23rd place overall, to record her third individual victory and the women's title.

Croft Ambrey's dominant displays in the final two races of the series allowed them to overtake their main rivals and eventually win the title by 16 points from Ludlow Runners, with reigning champions Wye Valley Runners in third.

Medals were awarded to the first three runners in each category based on the best three finishing positions in the four race series.

Dates and venues for the winter cross country league, beginning in October, will be announced soon.