ALEX Wall-Clarke was crowned men’s champion, despite finishing second to Daniel Blake in the final round of the Oxford Mail Cross Country League.

The Abingdon AC runner came home in 37mins 30secs at Henley Showground, some 37 seconds behind Oxford City AC’s Blake.

However, his effort was enough to secure the title with the race winner second overall.

The women’s senior crown saw Oxford Tri Club’s Rebecca Duxbury and Newbury’s Victoria Duncan finish level on points.

With the latter not in action, Duxbury knew a top-two finish would be enough to take the crown.

But she had to settle for third behind Newbury duo Sophie Crumly and Jessica Franklin.

The overall women’s winner was Franklin, who also scooped the Vet 35 title.

Woodstock’s James Bolton won the Vet 40 title.

An 11th-placed finish was comfortably enough for him to fend off the challenge of Eynsham’s Daniel Lewis, who came fifth on the day.

Julian Richardson was a runaway winner of the Vet 50 championship.

Although not in action, the Oxford City member was 105 points ahead of Headington’s Kenny Lowies with Woodstock’s David Cantwell a further five points back in third.

There was further success for Oxford City in the Vet 60 category with Stewart Thorp taking the honours.

Although just seven points ahead of John Griffiths (Headington) going into the final round, Thorp produced a strong display to come home 98th, some 40 places ahead of his rival on the day which ensured top spot.

Alchester’s Robert Kerr was third.

Abingdon’s Thornton Greenland was the Vet 70 champion.

More success for the club came at the other end of the age scale when David Bunn wrapped up the under 20 title, beating Witney’s Matthew Lock.

Daniel Roberts shared the under 17 accolade with a superb final-round display.

The Banbury Harrier finished second with title rival Patrick Mochan, of Swindon Harriers, in 19th place, meaning the crown was shared.

Radley enjoyed a one-two in the under 15 category, William D’Arcy beating Johnny James.

And teammate Quinn Miell-Ingram made it a clean sweep in the under 13s – victory giving him a fifth successive win in the championships.

Witney’s William Shayler scooped the under 11 title even though he did not race at Henley.

Radley’s dominance saw them win the overall team title in both the under 15 and 17 categories.

Franklin proved a class above her rivals, taking the Ladies’ Vet 35 crown, beating Eynsham’s Liz McAllister and Headington’s Diane Foster.

Kate Allred won the Vet 45 title.

The Eynsham athlete came home two places behind Newbury’s Rachel Allen at Henley, but did enough to finish nine points ahead of her rival overall. Alchester’s Samantha Usher was third.

Eynsham’s Katherine Bates cruised to victory in the Vet 55 category. Teammate Jacky Pinnock was third, with Alchester’s Caroline Kerr second.

Oxford City’s Jenny Hannah landed the under 20 title, with Lucy Rycroft (White Horse Harriers) and Chloe Ridewood (Abingdon) second and third respectively.

The under 17 championship also went Oxford City, with Daisy Palmer coming out on top over Anna Kelly (White Horse Harriers) and Beth Darwent (Abingdon).

Highworth’s Kiya Dee topped the under 15 standings, with Abingdon’s Olivia Martin runner-up.

Isabelle Martin shared the under 13 honours.

The Abingdon athlete finished level on points with Newbury’s Josie Robertson after coming second on the day.

Oxford City’s Isabella Haines-Gray is the under 11 champion, ending just a point ahead of Banbury’s Isla McGowan.

Abingdon claimed the overall under 13 and under 15/17 team

prizes.

  • DUE to technical problems with results on the day, no presentations were made and the outcome of some titles are still being verified.