OXFORD MAIL CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE

Woodstock Harrier Steve Naylor completed his goal of lifting the senior and overall men’s titles with another commanding performance in the final round of the 2010-11 season at Swindon on Sunday.

After competing for Oxfordshire in the Inter-Counties Cross Country Championship just 24 hours earlier, Naylor could have been forgiven for opting for a steady run at Swindon, as only a finish was required to give him the crown.

But Naylor is not one for taking it easy for too long as he romped to victory.

Although he trailed in third on the first of three arduous and undulating laps, Naylor was soon into his stride, and cruised home by more than a minute in 27 mins 35 secs.

It represented a richly-deserved title for the relative newcomer to competitive running, and there will surely be bigger fish to fry for the 31-year-old in seasons to come.

It was noticeable that a number of regulars were missing from the last round – many of whom were competing in the Inter-Counties in Birming-ham on Saturday.

The vet 40 men’s title when to Swindon Harriers’ Heath Bampton, while Oxford City’s Heine van Zyl landed the vet 50 title, despite failing to finish in the last round.

In the senior women’s race, Newbury’s Susie Bush secured the title for the first time, finishing well clear of Headington Roadrunner Helen Barnes for the overall crown.

The vet 35 prize went to Cirencester’s Jane Wassell, while Team Kennet’s Jenny Eaton won the vet 45 category.

There was more local success in the vet 55 ladies’ age group as Kate Williamson took the title, despite not appearing for the last round.

In the team competition, Newbury A clinched a men’s and women’s double.

With Oxford City short on numbers, Newbury won the Division 1 men’s title for the first time, while the women easily saw off the challenge of Cirencester to take victory.

Sadly, defending champions City failed to return the trophy, meaning there was nothing to collect for the new winners!

Woodstock Harriers, helped in no small part by Naylor’s magnificent season, won men’s Division 2 and will make a return to the top flight next season, while there was also promotion joy for Alchester, who were second.

Women’s Division 2 was won by Swindon Striders A, with Oxford Brookes University finishing in the second promotion spot.