Steve Naylor helped Bedford & County win the men’s team title in the South of England Cross Country Championships at Parliament Hill, London.

The 33-year-old, from Com-be, finished ninth in the testing 15km race, clocking 51mins 18secs.

With Bedford runners also finishing second, third, 12th, 13th and 18th, Naylor’s team took their seventh crown in nine years by more than 100 points.

“Some may argue that the field was somewhat depleted due to next week’s Nationals, but that didn’t take anything away from our achievement,” said Naylor.

“For me, my top ten place was my best position in the three years I’ve been doing the Southerns, after 16th and 12th.

“The course was very heavy in parts, which doesn’t suit me that well.

“But it didn’t stop me from having a crack from the start as I didn’t want to get bogged down in the masses.

“After the initial charge up the hill, I found myself sitting in about sixth position before the gaps started to open up on the second lap.

“I was passed by a couple more and I had to dig deep to hold on to my ninth position as tiredness crept in over the 15km course.”

OTHER RESULTS

(senior men unless stated)

OXFORD PARK RUN

Witney RR: F Howard 19.21, G Le Good (V60) 23.51, H Howard (JW14) 26.19, S Howard (LV35) 26.20, E Howard (JW14) 28.41.

Woodstock H: 4 B Vaughan (V55) 19.56.

ABINGDON PARK RUN

Woodstock H: 55 D Richens 29.12.

BRAMLEY 20

Witney RR: M Johnson 3.09.00.

BRAMLEY 10

Witney RR: O Carr (SL) 1.35.00.