Horwich RMI Harrier Jan Rashleigh continued her winning ways as she tackled the SE Lancs XC course at Fitton Hill, Oldham.

This is one of the toughest courses in the NW, and the venue for the third race in the SE Lancs series. She led for most of the way as the race unfolded, and struck for home across the open fields holding off the strong challenge of Evelyn Dugdale (Salford), wife of Horwich RMI Harrier Paul Dugdale.

The races started with laps of the ankle deep muddy football field, before leading off onto a muddy path that twisted and turned before dropping sharply and then rising steeply up a long hill. The open fields came before the crossing of a stream, and the climbing of a muddy bank at the end of each lap.

Dave Townsend had another cracking run to lead the RMI senior men, finishing in sixth place, well backed up by junior Mark Smith in 12th (1st Jun). Steve Barlow also had an excellent run, being the Harrier's first vet home (2nd Vet/40 overall). Horwich's senior men's team finished third, along with their Vet/40 team, with the Vet/50 men runners-up to East Cheshire.

The senior ladies team had to settle for fourth place, but both the Vet/35 and the Vet/40 teams were victorious. Audrey Foster was yet again a superb first lady 50, and Paul Murray a terrific first male Vet/60.

As well as junior Mark Smith's excellent performance, Christine Boardman ran well to place third junior lady.

The Harriers will now turn their attention to the next SE Lancs fixture at Boggart Hole Clough, and the final Red Rose fixture at Burnley.

RESULTS:

SE Lancs XC -- Oldham.

Senior Men -- 1. A Jones (East Cheshire) 35.14; 2. A Williams (Sale) 35.50; 3. M Crosby (Altrincham) 37.19; 6. D Townsend (Horwich RMI) 38.48; 12. M Smith 1st JM 39.41; 14. S Barlow 2nd V40 39.48; 24. N Wrigley V40 40.58; 31. B Bolland 41.55; 48. M Tickle 43.35; 65. P Ramsdale V40 45.20; 68. P Murray 1st V60 45.33; 77. A Sweatman V50 47.05; 83. M Crook V50 47.32; 88. C Waterworth V40 48.43; 91. G Stone V45 48.56; 96. K Makin V50 49.29; 98. S Baines V40 49.39; 103. A Blinkhorn V50 50.06; 109. A Gorman 50.28; 123. P Scott V55 52.06; 134. B Allman V45 55.34. finishers 148.

Men's Teams (six to count) -- 1. East Cheshire 70; 2. Middleton 132; 3. Horwich RMI 150.

Vet 40 Teams (three to count) -- 1. Middleton 19; 2. East Cheshire 19; 3. Horwich RMI 37.

Vet 50 Teams (three to count) -- 1. East Cheshire 10; 2. Horwich RMI 40; 3. Glossopdale 45.

Ladies -- 1. J Rashleigh L40 (Horwich RMI) 21.42; 2. E Dugdale L35 (Salford) 21.44; 3. L Whittaker (Saddleworth) 22.30; 13. G Higson (Horwich RMI) 25.02; 17. A Foster 1st L50 25.49; 30. J Harold L40 26.38; 21. N Guffog 26.39; 27. S Gorman 28.02; 48. C Sweatman L45 31.25. Finishers 61.

Ladies Teams (three to count) -- 1. Salford Harriers 21; 4. Horwich RMI 29.

Vet 35 Teams (three to count) -- 1. Horwich RMI 19; 2. East Cheshire 21; 3. Rochdale 34.

Vet 40 Teams (three to count) -- 1. Horwich RMI 14; 2. East Cheshire 16; 3. Rochdale 25.

U20 Ladies -- 1. A Sanders (Blackley) 25.58; 2. E Patrick (Warrington) 28.08; 3. C Boardman (Horwich RMI) 28.36. Finishers five.

U17 Men -- 1. A Moran (Trafford AC) 19.27; 10. M Smith (Horwich RMI) 22.10. Finishers 16.

U20 Men -- 1. M Smith (Horwich RMI) 39.41; 2. M Hammer (Blackburn H) 39.51; 3. P Frechette (Rochdale) 41.32. Finishers five.