WYE Valley Runners' Becky Davies timed her effort to perfection in the second round of this year's Herefordshire Cross Country League

Organised by Hereford Triathlon Club on a riverside course at Rotherwas 190 runners between the men's and women's events took part in a three-lap route was much flatter than the usual hilly ones offered by the league, but slippery mud provided a challenge to maintain the interest.

Builth R.C.'s Tim Iveson and Wye Valley Runners' Davies recorded individual victories in the men's and women's events whilst also leading their respective teams to glory.

Iveson, who won the opening race of the series at Croft Castle, led the race from the start as he skated over the mud to build an early big lead.

He was then able to relax as he romped home to a resounding win.

Hereford Couriers' veteran Barry Reynolds worked his way through the field to take a tenacious second place with Maldwyn Harriers' former British Fell Running champion Tim Davies finished third.

Builth took the top team honours with Couriers a close second, with Reynolds well supported by former league champion Matt James in sixth, Will Maul in 13th and Alex Haines in 23rd.

Wye Valley Runners finished third thanks to Christian Jones in 11th, Richard Williams 14th, Dan Lewis 15th and newcomer John Miskimmin 18th.

Builth now hold a 12 point lead over reigning champions Maldwyn, with Wye Valley a distant third.

The women's race produced an exciting showcase with the top six runners separated by less than a minute.

Ledbury Harriers' Holly Gourley set the early pace, chased by Hay Hotfooters' Sarah Christensen.

Wye Valley's Davies bided her time with a conservative start as she was lying in fifth place at the end of the first lap.

This was improved to second place at the end of the second lap as she reeled in the leader and timed her challenge to perfection to eventually cruise home six seconds clear of Gourley with Christensen a further five seconds behind.

Davies' strong run was backed by Jodie Newell in sixth and Juliet Moxon in 15th to give Wye Valley a comprehensive team triumph.

Home club Hereford Triathlon Club finished second team with Dana Machackova in seventh, Kristie Harper 10th and Helen Davis 18th.

First race winners Croft Ambrey R.C. took third place led home by Kelly Bowen in fifth followed by Robyn Gore in 11th and Emma Jones 23rd.

These three county teams are leading the competition with Croft Ambrey just a slender four points ahead of Wye Valley with the Triathlon Club third.

The third event in the five race series will be held on January 6, at the new venue of Queenswood.