STEVE Naylor described winning the Oxfordshire Cross Country Championship title for a fourth time in as many attempts as one of his most “pleasing victories”.

The 36-year-old, who lives in Witney, finished in a time of 31mins 28secs, just under two minutes ahead of the chasing pack.

Naylor, who competed for Woodstock Harriers, but due to championship rules had to wear his first claim Bedford & County vest, previously won the title in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

He said: “It was one of my most pleasing victories.

“It is never easy there (Horspath) and it is nice to get the title back after a few years.

“It is one of the largest leads I have had in cross country so it was a bit of a luxury being that far in front.”

Naylor, who took a year off from running between June 2014 and 2015, has been in good form since returning to athletics, winning the Oxford Half Marathon in November.

And he said the key to his latest victory was attacking the hills.

“I do like hill running so I waited for the first and pushed off the top and got about a 20-second gap,” said Naylor.

“On the second lap round I was getting tired, but I think everyone was feeling it.

“I like to have an advantage going into the last corner – it saves a bit of stress and pressure.”

White Horse Harrier Jonathan Cornish was second, followed by Harry Earl, of Border Harriers.

Oxford City’s Matthieu Marshall claimed the U20 honours, while clubmate Stewart Thorp was first vet 60.

Abingdon’s Paul Fernandez and Nigel Bunn topped the Vet 40 and 50 standings.

Gemma Bridge, of Oxford City, bounced back from missing out on the senior women’s title last year to claim victory, beating Woodstock’s Jessica Webb and Eynsham’s Hannah Hale.

Oxford Mail:

  • Oxford City's Gemma Bridge on her way to victory in the senior women's race

Helene Greenwood (Kidlington) was unable to retain her under 20 title as Reading’s Jess Gibbon crossed first.

Meanwhile, Woodstock duo Rachel Masser and Denise Bridges led the way among the vet 35 and 45 runners.

Oxford’s Gwyenth Hueter crossed as the top vet 55 competitor.

Alex Scrivener claimed a fourth successive crown with victory in the under 13 race.

Oxford Mail:

  • Oxford City's Daisy Palmer (left) and Alex Scrivener show off their medals after the under 13 race

The Oxford City ace won in 11mins 40secs, beating Bicester’s Millie Couzens by 24 secs.

It was a great day for City, with Daisy Palmer taking bronze and the club winning the team prize after having five runners in the first nine.

And there was more success in the under nine and 11 races, with Isabella Haines-Gray and Olivia Martin leading the way.

Fiona Bunn (Abingdon) and Jenny Hannah (Banbury Harriers) are under 15 and 17 champions respectively.

In the boys event, Radley enjoyed success in the under 17 and 13 races with Archie Scott and Benjamin Cumberland victorious.

Bicester’s Ben West was second in the under 15s, while New College School's Henry Channon beat Radley’s Quinn Miell-Ingram and William D’Arcy to the under 11 title.

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

MEN

Senior: 1 S Naylor (Bed), 2 J Cornish (Whh), 3 H Earl (Bor).
Vet 40: 1 P Fernandez (Abn), 2 J Richardson (Oxf), 3 L Newell (Oxf).
Vet 50: 1 N Bunn (Abn), 2 A Phelps (Hed), 3 M Richards (Hed).
Vet 60: 1 S Thorp (Oxf), 2 B Vaughan (Wds), 3 G Le Good (Wit).
Under 20: 1 M Marshall (Oxf), 2 W Gardner (Oxf), 3 A Vessey (Abn).
Under 17: 1 A Scott (Rad), 2 J Shayler (Abn), 3 O Onay (Whh).
Under 15: 1 N Wiltshire (Red), 2 B West (Bic), 3 H Roe (Red).
Under 13: 1 B Cumberland (Rad), 2 M Nicolle (Bic), 3 T Miller (Wit).
Under 11: 1 H Channon (New Coll), 2 Q Miell-Ingram (Rad), 3 W D’Arcy (Rad).
Under 9: 1 T Cole (St Hughs Prep), 2 F Mackenzie (New Coll), 3 S Staunton-Lamb (Whh).

WOMEN

Senior: 1 G Bridge (Oxf), 2 J Webb (Wds), 3 H Hale (Eyn).
Vet 35: 1 R Masser (Wds), 2 S Rendell (Alc), 3 S Davies (Oxf).
Vet 45: 1 D Bridges (Wds), 2 M Bartlett (Ban), 3 C Struthers (Oxf). 
Vet 55: 1 G Hueter (Oxf), 2 H Turley (Hed), 3 J Pinnock (Eyn).
Under 20: 1 J Gibbon (Red), 2 H Greenwood (Kid), 3 J Harrison (Whh).
Under 17: 1 F Bunn (Abn), 2 E Thompson (Ban), 3 L Rycroft (Whh).
Under 15: 1 J Hannah (Ban), 2 N Bowley (Red), 3 T Williams (Ban).
Under 13: 1 A Scrivener (Oxf), 2 M Couzens (Bic), 3 D Palmer (Oxf).
Under 11: 1 O Martin (Oxf), 2 C de Jonge (Oxf), 3 G Usher (Bic).
Under 9: 1 I Haines-Gray (Oxf), 2 E Betts (Manor Prep), 3 A Jonkers (Oxf).

TEAM

MEN

Senior: 1 Oxford City 39, 2 White Horse Harriers 132, 3 Abingdon 159.
Veterans: 1 Oxford City 57, 2 Abingdon 125, 3 Headington 145.
Under 15: 1 Abingdon 38, 2 Magdalen College School 49.
Under 13: 1 Radley 24, 2 St Hughs Prep School 79,  3 White Horse Harriers 99.
Under 11: 1 Radley 18, 2 Banbury 51, 3 St Hughs Prep School 57.

WOMEN

Senior: 1= Witney & Headington 75, 3 Alchester 105.
Veterans: 1 Headington 60, 2 Alchester 73, 3 Woodstock 75.
Under 17: 1 Radley 27.
Under 15: 1 Radley 19, 2 Oxford City 32, 3 Abingdon 38.
Under 13: 1 Oxford City 9, 2 Abingdon 22, 3 St Hughs Prep School 49.
Under 11: 1 Manor Prep School 16, 2 Oxford City 24, 3 Bicester 38.