Defending champion Steve Naylor marked his return to the Oxford Mail Cross country League series with victory in race two at Culham Park, near Abingdon.

Naylor, now running for Woodstock Harriers as his second-claim club, missed the first race at Ascott-under-Wychwood with a back injury.

But the 32-year-old followed up his top 50 placing in the European Cross Country Championship trials with a 38-second victory from Sullivan Smith (Banbury) in the men’s race, clocking 29mins 42secs .

Witney Roadrunner Elysia Ridley was second in the ladies’ race in 26.28, beaten by Newbury’s Sophie Crumly.

Woodstock’s Steve Frear, who won round one, did not race at Culham, but Naylor was confident of providing another success for the club.

“Another good turnout meant that I didn't want to get too caught up in the frenzy of the first bend,” he said.

“I managed to get into the lead and over the first lap I kept things under control just in case the rough ground triggered any injury worries.

“I maintained a short lead before extending it out to about 100m during the second lap.

“Going into the final lap, I felt comfortable enough to inject a bit more pace going against the headwind along the riverfront, which helped gain a bit more ground approaching the last set of hills.

“My time was over two mintues quicker than last year, which goes down a lot to the better conditions, but also meant that the race as a whole was much quicker.”

Abingdon’s Paul Fernandez finished third in the men’s race, recording a time of 30mins 40secs.

Fernandez, who competed for England in the veterans international the previous week, finished 20 seconds adrift of second-placed Smith (Banbury).

Abingdon’s Oz Ellis was fourth in 31.07, and with their next four runners making the top 60, they were the leading men’s team in round two.

White Horse Harriers’ men’s team were missing several key runners and they saw their lead in Division 2 cut from 201 to 83 points.

First home in seventh place was Jonathan Cornish, which made him the first under 20.

Steve Male (Oxford City) finished fifth and was the leading vet 40 athlete, ahead of Chris Dettmar (Headington).

Headington’s Simon Tavener took the vet 50 honours, while City’s John Exley and Roy Treadwell were second and third in the vet 60 ranks.

Ridley claimed round one of the ladies’ series at Ascott, beating Crumly by 22 seconds, but this time Crumly won by 25.

Melissa Hawtin (Oxford City) was third lady home and first under 20, while Woodstock’s Jess Webb was fifth.

Alchester’s Samantha Usher crossed the line eighth and was the first vet 35 home.

Eynsham’s Kate Williamson, 65, came third in the vet 55 category.

Oxford City ladies won Divsion 2 on the day, led home by Hawtin, Jade Walker, in sixth, and Sarah Davies, in tenth.

Abingdon Amblers’ Fiona Bunn edged to victory the under 13 girls’ race.

Bunn clocked 8mins 29secs to pip Oxford City’s Jessica Upjohn by three seconds.

It reversed their placings in the first round at Ascott-under-Wychwood in November.

Freya Rowe (Radley) was third to complete a podium treble for Oxfordshire runners.

City’s Storm Sunderland won the under 15 girls’ event impressively, clocking 13.26, and was only beaten by under 17 Lillie Bailey (Swindon Harriers) in the combined race.

Bicester’s Sophie Wheeler clocked 4.23 to finish second in the under 11 girls’ race.

Radley’s Christian Von Eitzen was the first under 15 boy home, clocking 17.43 to finish third in the combined under 17 race, while clubmate Henry Insley finished second in the under 11 boys’ event, recording 4.06.

White Horse Harriers’ top performer was Charlie Harrison, who finished second in the under 13 boys’ race in a time of 7.57, two seconds ahead of Radley’s Daniel Stokell.