A CALF injury to defending men's champion Steve Kimber handed his Headington Roadrunners' teammate Chris Riley the honours in the fourth round at Cirencester Park.

Kimber pulled up on the first lap as he looked to secure his title a round early, and with Riley holding off a challenge from newcomer Ander Russell (St Edward's School), it means the title race will now hinge on the final round at Banbury next month.

Riley, running for his second-claim club, clocked 32mins 17secs to win the race, but was pushed all the way by under 20 Russell.

In fact, there were many new names among the top ten, with Headington debutant Julien L'homme crossing the line third place, clocking 32.59.

With Kimber unable to finish, it enabled Riley to close the gap on his clubmate to just two points, which will make for an enthralling tussle in the final round.

With Cirencester boasting a strong men's team, they posted a strong victory over Headington.

The gap between the two teams is now a mere 38 points going into the final round, and so an exciting finale looks in prospect.

In the ladies' race, the non-appearance of reigning champion Wendy Jones gave White Horse Harrier Frances Briscoe the chance to shine.

Jones missed the race as she ran the trials for the World Cross Country Championships in Bath.

With Jones out of action, Briscoe dominated the senior women's race, clocking 23.32 to win by almost a minute ahead of the home club's Ellen Leggate.

However, the team honours went to Headington, for whom Nina Griffith, Kirsty Hewitson and Sophie Whitworth shone.

Cirencester still lead the way in the team standings, but hold just a 24-point advantage now.

The vet 60 men's category is set for an interesting finale, with three athletes still in the running.

Leading the way is Banbury's Geoff Smith, who finished 198th in the men's race.

Second-placed Phil Kimber suffered a similar fate as his son, withdrawing during the race with stomach pains, allowing Oxford City's Dickie Langton to close the gap to just 11 points.

In the junior events, it was another good day for Oxford City.

Nine-year-old Beth Hawtin won her first under 11 girls race of the season, edging out clubmate Imogen van-Zyl by four seconds.

Sarah Elkirate completed a 1-2-3 for City, finishing third in 5.07.

In the combined under 13/15 girls' race, Danielle Anderson crossed the line first in 8.20.

Matthieu Marshall saw off clubmate Josh Tack to win the under 11 boys' race in 4.28, while Harry Robertson and Nicolas Bridle finished second and third respectively in the under 13 boys' race, behind only Team Kennet's Michael Randall.

The combined under 15/17 boys race saw White Horse Harrier Robert Bowles in dominant form as he swept to victory ahead of close rival Steve Copley (Abingdon).

St Edward's School's Ed Womersley continues to lead the way in the under 20 standings, after finishing 12th in the main race.