Springfield Striders just held off the hosts, Grange Farm Trotters, in the first Mid-Essex Cross Country League fixture of the season to take an early lead in the table.
In a close fought race, the lead changed hands frequently, and three Striders, Richard Taylor, Dave Jellicoe and Alec Coleman all had a go at setting the pace.
Eventually they had to settle for second, third and fifth positions with a strong finishing Alan Wheelhouse claiming sixth spot.
With the able back up of Rob Rodie, Richard McHale and Ken Edwards, the Striders proved just too strong for the other four clubs.
Liz Turk (2nd) and Julie McHale (8th) led in the Striders' ladies, to keep the team ahead on an exceptionally muddy course.
Ann Claydon, Theresa Tremain and Helen Walker all placed well, in the largest field this league has seen to date.
Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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