SUZANNE Budgett reached a new milestone when she won her first cross country race outright.

The Horwich RMI Harrier revelled in the mud to cross the line first in the Red Rose Cross Country League's final fixture at Marl Pits, Rossendale.

Her performance underlined her recent consistently high standard of performance, and came less than a week after finishing a superb fifth (first over-40) in the City of Salford Women's Five-Mile Road Race.

James Logue was Horwich's first man home in an excellent seventh place, leading the Horwich men to team victory on the day.

There were also great category wins on the day for Steve Jackson (over-50) and Tony Hesketh (over-55).

In the league's overall standings, Rachael Thompson had run so well in the first three races that she took the Senior Women's title without needing to compete in this last race.

Under-17 runner, Joe Christopher, and senior, Darren Kay, had a super series, both finishing second in their respective categories.

Horwich finished with five men in the top 10 over-40s rankings, with Dave Massey (second over-40) and Graham Schofield (second over-45) tying for third place.

Together with Steve Nolan in seventh, Tony Hesketh ninth (first over-55) and Rob Green in 10th, Horwich took the overall league veteran men's team award.

The Horwich senior men also won the senior men's league title.

Gaynor Higson, who was away last Saturday warm weather training, had already done enough to finish a terrific second over-35 for the season.

Overall in the league there were top 10 placings for Horwich juniors Simon Rashleigh (fifth under-15), April Stephenson (sixth under-15), Pete Haworth (seventh under-17) and Bethan Faulkner (ninth under-15).

Angela Allen put in another tremendous performance, recording an impressive display in the Guy's 10-Mile Road Race near Garstang last Sunday.

Her winning time of 60.38 was five minutes clear of her nearest rival, Linda Clarkson of Darwen Dashers.

Colin Rigby finished in a terrific third place in a time of 53.09.

Paul Muller can still knock out a super time for a first over-45 with a time of 55.12, which put him eighth overall.

Derek Coop was the other Horwich runner, finishing in a fine time of 67.30.

Results:Red Rose XC League, Rossendale: Under 13 Boys: 7 S Rashleigh 11.58; Finishers 23.

Under 15 Girls: 4 A Stevenson 15.55; 6 B Faulkner 16.32; Finishers 21.

Under 15 Boys: 1 F Jardine (Bolton) 13.23; 19 T Carson 15.19; 26 A Carrerky 16.30; Finishers 33.

Under 17 Men: 4 J Christopher 21.12; 11 P Haworth 22.42; Finishers 18.

Ladies: 1 S Budgett L40 23.59; 6 K Smout 2nd L 24.50; 13 R Metcalfe L 25.56; 44 C McCall L40 37.41; Finishers 44.

Ladies' Teams (3): 2 Horwich RMI 29.

Men: 7 J Logue M35 34.33; 13 R Haworth 2nd M45 35.32; 16 S Diaz M 36.30; 21 S Jackson 1st M50 36.46; 22 P Massey M35 36.47; Finishers 117.

Men's Teams (6): 1 Horwich RMI 78; 2 Rossendale 86.

Men's over-40 Teams (4): 2 Horwich RMI 29.

2005 Red Rose XC League Final Positions: Under 13 Boys: 5 S Rashleigh 18; Finishers 21.

Under 15 Girls: 6 A Stevenson 16; 9 B Faulkner 29; 16 R Murphy-Bates 57; Finishers 21.

Under 15 Boys: 16 T Carson 49; Finishers 28.

Under 17 Men: 2 J Christopher 6; 7 P Haworth 27; Finishers 19.

Ladies: 1 R Thompson L 7; 8 G Higson 2nd L35 43; =33 C Sweatman 3rd L45 137. Finishers 42.

Ladies' Teams: 2 Horwich RMI 96.

Men: 2 D Kay M35 11; 5 P Roby M 30; 10 D Massey 2nd M40 52; 11 G Scofield 2nd M45 54; 19 J Kevan 2nd JM 96; 20 S Diaz M 98; 24 T Hesketh 1st M55 117; Finishers 78.

Men's Teams: 1 Horwich RMI 248; 2 Blackburn H 310.

Men's Vets Teams: 1 Horwich RMI 106; 2 Clayton-Le-Moors 111.

Guy's 10 Mile Road Race: 1 B Burns (Salford) M 50.52; 3 C Rigby M35 53.09; 8 P Muller 1st M45 55.12; 26 A Allen 1st L, 1st L35 60.38; 66 D Coop M45 67.30; Finishers 256.

City of Salford Women's 5 Mile Road Race: 1 C Anthony (Belle Vue) L 31.55; 5 S Budgett 1st L40 33.22; Finishers 218.