Headington Roadrunner Richard Bromley made a winning return to the Oxford Mail Cross Country League as he held off a stern challenge from clubmate Steve Kimber to win the first round in atrocious conditions at Ascott-under-Wychwood on Sunday.

Bromley, a former champion, missed last season's league campaign, but proved he has lost none of his pace and strength with this battling victory.

In torrential rain, which rendered much of the course a quagmire, Bromley was neck-and-neck with Kimber throughout, before pulling away to win by 20 seconds in a time of 32mins 26secs.

It represented an excellent start to the season for Headington's men's team, who took the honours ahead of title rivals Woodstock Harriers by 11 points.

Woodstock's group of seven A team athletes packed well to ensure the points gap was kept to a minimum.

After just one round, it already looks sure to be an exciting campaign for team honours.

Tony Hunn led home his Woodstock teammates in eighth place, crossing the line in 33.52, with Nick Baimbridge just five seconds behind.

There was a surprise in the women's race, as last year's unbeatable champion Wendy Jones had to settle for second place.

This was because Witney Roadrunners entered Nikki Slater, their elite runner who finished 12th in the recent Great North Run in New- castle.

With Slater in the Witney team, they will be formidable opponents for Headington and Cirencester this season, and she proved that she can excel in cross-country conditions with a powerful run.

Slater crossed the line in 18mins 34secs - well clear of Jones and Jane Wassell.

However, despite Slater's heroics, Witney's women had to settle for third place in the team competition, with Cirencester and Banbury finishing first and second.

In the junior section, the Hawtin sisters were again the stars of the show for Oxford City, with Melissa romping to victory in the 13/15 girls' race and youngster sister Lauren easing home in the under 11 age group.

Melissa, still an under 13 runner, made light of the conditions to clock a sub-seven minute time - winning by a clear margin in 6.57 from Emma Grant (Radley) in 7.20.

Lauren also had a comfortable victory, clocking 3.46 to win by 11 seconds ahead of Banbury's Abby Bullock.

William Handscombe made it a notable double for City's under 11s as he edged to victory in the boys' race.

Martha Lloyd came of age to finish first in the under 17 category - 14th in the senior ladies' race.

Woodstock Harriers' John Ewbank took the honours in the combined under 15/17 boys' race, holding off a strong challenge from St Edward's School's Ed Womersley.

Ewbank finished 20 seconds ahead of his nearest challenger, crossing the line in 17.19.