FVS TRI, depleted by seasonal illness, took to the hills of Royston for the penultimate Sunday cross-country league fixture. Steve Harrison was first home for the men in second place, leading the A team to fourth on the day, good enough to maintain second

FVS TRI, depleted by seasonal illness, took to the hills of Royston for the penultimate Sunday cross-country league fixture.

Steve Harrison was first home for the men in second place, leading the A team to fourth on the day, good enough to maintain second in the overall A team competition.

Brian White was second for FVS TRI in 25th with James Grierson third in 31st.

Pete Eames completed his third cross-country race in seven days and finished strongly to score for the A team as seventh scorer.

Excellent participation from FVS TRI men has ensured second place in the B team competition in every race, although a lack of older athletes means a sixth overall in the veteran competition.

Antonia Field returned from illness to lead the women home with sixth position.

A strong finish from improving Gemma Sargent (10th) and good team performances from veteran athlete Lesley Dutton (13th), Chris Yuill (14th) and Penny Wylie (25th) ensured a comfortable second for the A team and second for the vets team.

The women have finished second in both competitions in every fixture this year, ensuring a consolidated second overall behind leading local specialist run club Garden City Runners.

In the combined competition for top club, FVS TRI still maintain their second position behind Garden City Runners and hope to hold on at the last fixture at Watford next month.

Men's positions and times (five miles): 2 Steve Harrison 32:43, 25 Brian White 37:31, 31 James Grierson 37:59, 46 Mark Robertson 39:56, 48 Pete Bardell 40:06, 64 John Gillham 41:35, 87 Pete Eames 43:19, 88 Stewart Kaye 43:25, 96 Darren Woodhall 43:55, 104 Drew Lowrie 45:32, 106 Max Lepoutre 45:39, 108 Sean Bradley 45:43, 118 Keith Perry 46:46, 132 Tony Shortland 49:21, 133 Richard Thomas 49:25, 137 Simon Douglas 50:16, 140 Paul Dutton 50:39, 144 Chris Penfold 51:43.

Women's positions and times (three miles): 6 Antonia Field 24:34, 10 Gemma Sargent 25:51, 13 Lesley Dutton 26:22, 14 Chris Yuill 26:24, 25 Penny Wylie 28:58, 43 Meli Fletcher 32:16, 52 Brenda Boswood 33:26.

Pete Timmins raced nearer home in the Wellingborough 15k multi-terrain event and finished 48th from 85 in 1-12:07.

Fairlands Valley Spartans were also at Sunday's cross-country league match.

A dozen took part in the men's race which was over about five miles. Simon Jackson led the club and he was 16th overall in 36:30.

Positions and times: 16 Simon Jackson 36:30, 52 Steve Smithson 40:43, 75 Graham Blackburn 42:19, 80 Paul Maguire 43:00, 81 Andy Bramall 43:01, 82 Jim Brown 43:02, 113 Anthony?White 46:13, 114 Alan Donald 46:14, 121 Andrew Hull 47:24, 128 Mark Glading 48:38, 137 Dennis Cannon 50:24, 148 Rob Shaw 50:55.

But the highest placed Spartan on the day was Kath Hardcastle who was second overall in the women's race.

Racing over about three miles on the same course, she finished in 22:27.

Other times: Sharon Crowley 45th in 32:34, Trisha Hopper 58th in 35:22.

Five Spartans ran the Genk Marathon which was on a pleasant seven-lap course in eastern Belgium.

Times: Roger Biggs 3-30:52; Mike Newbitt 4-10:01; Michaela Sanders 4-44:19; Mark Sanders 4-48:04; Dave Paul 4-59:20.