STEVE Kimber overcame some of the toughest race conditions ever encountered as he won the second round of the Oxford Mail Cross Country League to establish a lead at the top of the standings.

Headington Roadrunners' new venue of Culham Park provided a monumental test, with glutinous mud, fierce inclines and declines and a long flat session through the water meadows more akin to a paddy field!

But Kimber made light work of the quagmire to post victory, despite being pressed hard by senior newcomer Ed Womersley, of St Edward's School.

The venue had also been used the previous day for a Chiltern League meeting, making the going even heavier than it would have been, but Kimber's forceful run saw him cross the line on the 8km course in 32mins 17secs.

Womersley's performance was outstanding - by far the best of his fledgling career.

He remained in the hunt, before dipping out in the finishing stages to clock 32.29, with Headington's Chris Riley finishing third in 33.04.

Although the individual honours went Headington's way, there was a surprise in the team contest, with the host club having to settle for second place.

This was because of a terrific display from Cirencester, all seven of their points-scoring runners finishing in the top 30.

Witney's team came home in the bronze-medal position.

In the women's contest, Wendy Jones cruised to her second successive victory.

She romped home exactly a minute and a half ahead of the field, clocking 19.34.

Nicola Gomm (Witney Roadrunners) continued her superb form, finishing second in 21.04.

With Sally Pitts and Jeannette Ashton finishing 22nd and 23rd, it completed a good day for the Witney team, as they finished three points behind Cirencester.

In the junior events, Oxford City showed their strength in depth on day two of an arduous cross country weekend.

City's combined under 13/15 girls' team won at a canter - despite missing Bea and Beth Swords and Melissa Hawtin, who had competed the previous day in the Chiltern League.

Banbury's Connie Macmillan won the race in 7.10, but City's team victory was secured with Danielle Anderson, Lauren Hawtin and Jade Walker occupying the next three places.

In the under 11 girls' race, City posted a terrific 1-2-3 with Sara Elkirate winning, Imogen van Zyl finishing second and Beth Hawtin taking third.

Tim Traynor won a tight under 15/17 boys race, the White Horse Harrier having too much in reserve to be troubled by clubmate Robert Bowles, crossing the line in 17.48.

St Edward's School took the team honours, edging out Swindon Harriers for first place. They were led home by Freddie Slemeck in 19.17, with Ben Pawson and Sam Smith completing the trio.

In the under 13 boys race, Team Kennet's Michael Randall emerged victorious, seeing off a strong challenge from Oxford City's Harry Robertson.

The team prize went to Radley A. They were led home by Edward O'Hara, who finished third, with Alistair Duff fifth and Jo Bibby 14th.

At under 11 level, Goring & Wallingford's George Axon posted his second successive victory.