Oxford City finished among the top teams in each age category in the National Veterans Road Relay Championships at Sutton Park on Saturday.

In the eight-stage Vet 40 section over an undulating three-mile course, City finished eighth out of 44 teams their best position for several years.

City were hoping to retain their title in the six-stage Vet 50 category, but reckoned without Blackheath & Bromley.

With only one stage left, City were almost a minute and a half behind. Richard Grant took over for Oxford's last leg, and tore into the lead.

But City were denied victory by two seconds by a sprint from Bob Minto, the world veteran 800m champion.

The Vet 60 three-stage race saw Oxford finish in a best-ever fifth position.

INDIVIDUAL TIMES Oxford City Vet 40: B Green 15.38, D Hartwell 16.53, J Percival 16.44, T Dixon 16.38, M Tankard 16.43, P Gray 17.20, S Overton 16.01, J Lisiewicz 16.01.

Oxford City Vet 50: D Swords 16.51, R Treadwell 17.55, G Jones 17.10, D Wheeler 17.15, J Exley 16.50, R Grant 16.46.

Oxford City Vet 60: D Langton 19.14, C Rutland 18.41, M Welland 17.58.

Headington RR Vet 40: J Thorne 16.56, J Griffiths 17.32, G Bird 18.02, D McCann 19.11, A Phelps 18.06, A Derbyshire 19.04, C Slator 19.31, K Byrne 20.26.

Headington RR Vet 50: L Hurman 17.29, G Smith 17.30, M Taylor 19.58, B Burlingham 19.31, M Worthington 18.19, C Nellins 17.58.