WITH nearly a third of the Fell Championship season still to come the Horwich RMI Harrier Men's Vets Team have already clinched a fantastic double.

Victory at the Eildon Two Hills Fell Race meant the team wrapped up both the English and British Fell Team titles with two English and one British race yet to be run.

With the team's best four results from six races to count in each championship the Harrier Vets already have maximum points. Four straight wins gave the team the English title at Duddon Valley Fell Race on June 1 before the double was secured at Eildon (Scotland).

The terrific double came as no surprise to the club's men's vets captain and vice captain Steve Jackson and Steve Barlow who are understandably thrilled and delighted with everyone's efforts, including those who have run for the club and not finished in a team scoring position so far this season.

Five of the nine Harriers who have counted for the team are pictured before last Wednesday's Horwich RMI Harriers Jubilee Race at Rivington. They are Steve Barlow (V40), Albert Sunter (V40), Steve Jackson (V45), Tony Hesketh (V50) and Paul Murray (V60). The other four are Kev Gaskell (V40), Mark Seddon (V40), Neil Wrigley (V40) and Graham Schofield (V45).

This historic double was achieved with team success as far back as the first race at the Half Tour of Pendle on March 9. Further wins were secured at Criffel Hill, Scotland (March 24), Coniston (May 4), Saddleworth (May 19), Duddon Valley (June 1) and Eildon Two Hills, Scotland. The team were also placed second in the Spelga Skyline race in N Ireland (April 13).

However, the club's runners will not be resting on their laurels but are aiming to finish the season in style starting with the next British Championship race at Y Garn (Caernafon) on August 3. Meanwhile the victors look forward to the FRA Presentation on November 9 when they will receive their well-earned medals and coveted team trophies.