Colchester Harriers produced the goods in the final fixture of the 53-12 Cross-Country League with a stirring team effort to take the title by one point from Suffolk-based rivals Ipswich Jaffa.

Boosted by the appearance of number one runners Adrian Mussett and Sarah Stradling and some of the victourious Essex League men’s team, Harriers, who had remained in second positon over the whole 53-12 season, surged to wins in the men’s and ladies’ races.

Mussett had a one-hour warm up run with Stradling then ran an easy race to win by 100 metres from the runner-up, before continuing with an hour warm down.

Stradling did the same and was a long way clear of the field in the ladies’ race.

The overall title win was a good team effort, with Harriers using the squad to full advantage to keep prising out good results when required over a very tough and cold season.

The Hyland Park course was extremely hard with runners taking on endless freezing water-filled ditches and tough climbs over the park.

Musset’s victory prompted a good effort by his Essex League-winning clubmates Chris Sellens (third), Tom Herbert (sixth), Paul Spowage (tenth), Philip Munro (14th), and John Nears (15th).

The team was completed by Sandy MacMillen (21st) and a much-improved Pete West (23rd).

Finishing strongly was Rob Gibby (26th) and Russ Goodridge (53rd), while Dan Wright slipped a few places (67th), but Kevin McAllinden improved (75th). Nick Hazell (88th) returned to the team and ran a fine race after a year out with injury.

The ladies were well led by winner Stradling and veteran Lyn Higgs pushed back the years to finish a superb second, beating a much younger pack on the way round.

Debbie Cattermole found the tough course to her liking and ran one of her best-ever races in seventh spot.

Melanie Moore ran her first cross-country of the season and was the final scorer in 25th position.

Fran Norris (31st) and Rachel Richardson-Wright (62nd), bravely ran through painful injuries to support the team effort on the day, with Toni Wilson, who has also supported the club well this season was a creditable 46th.