STEVE Naylor described winning the Oxfordshire Cross Country Championship title for a fourth time in as many attempts as one of his most “pleasing victories”, writes Jack Johnson.
The 36-year-old, who lives in Witney, finished in a time of 31mins 28secs, a minute and 36secs ahead of the chasing pack.
Naylor, who competed for Woodstock Harriers, but due to championship rules had to wear his first claim Bedford & County vest, previously won the title in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
The race also incorporated the third round of the Oxford Mail Cross Country League, with Naylor helping Woodstock finish third on the day in Division 2.
He said: “It was one of my most pleasing victories.
“It was so muddy and wet, it was hard, but I don’t mind using the hills to my advantage.
“It is one of the largest leads I have had in cross country, so it was a bit of a luxury being that far in front.”
In the women’s race, Woodstock’s Jessica Webb led the way for west Oxfordshire, finishing fourth.
RESULTS OXFORD MAIL XC LEAGUE – RND 3
Men (senior unless stated): 1 S Naylor (Wds) 31.28, 15 D Blake (Wit), 26 H Hart (Eyn, U20), 29 B Pollard (Eyn, V40), 33 M Baker (Eyn), 42 G Ramsay (Wds). U13: 4 T Miller (Wit).
Women: 4 J Webb (Wds) 28.18, 5 R Masser (Wds, LV35) 28.19, 8 H Hale (Eyn) 29.17, 9 F Snare (Wit) 30.06, 17 B Sonley (Eyn), 29 C Litton (Wit), 33 D Bridges (Wds, LV45), 43 K Lock (Eyn, LV35).
TEAM RESULTS
Men – Senior – Div 1: 6 Eynsham A 524, 8 Witney A 649. Div 2: 3 Woodstock A 387. Div 3: 7 Eynsham B 1198, 10 Witney B 1314, 19 Woodstock B 1753. U13: 9= Witney A 86.
Women – Senior – Div 1: 2 Woodstock A 42, 7 Witney A 114. Div 3: 13 Eynsham B 256, 15 Witney B 277, 16 Woodstock B 280, 20 Eynsham C 336.
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS
Men – Senior: 5 D Blake (Wit) 18, 14= M Baker (Eyn) 48. V40: 6 B Pollard (Eyn) 40, 11 J Bolton (Wds) 64, 15 B O’Connor (Wds) 88, 18 K Game (Wds) 118, 20 F Howard (Wit) 127. V50: 12 G Hunter (Wit) 268, 14 P Ainslie (Wit) 272. V60: 2 B Vaughan (Wds) 254, 5 M Creasey (Eyn) 365, 6 G Le Good (Wit) 412, 14 T Whitlock (Eyn) 492, 16 K Morgan (Wit) 531, 17 J McCormac (Wit) 537, 19= K Baker (Eyn) 543. U20: 6 H Hart (Eyn) 64, 9 J Godwood (Wit) 196. U13: 9 T Miller (Wit) 15.
Women – Senior: 2 J Webb (Wds) 9, 3 H Hale (Eyn) 15, 4 F Snare (Wit) 21, 7 C Litton (Wit) 46. V35: 1= R Masser (Wds) 7, 16 S Howard (Wit) 80. V45: 3 D Bridges (Wds) 57, 18 L Holland (Wit) 185. V55: 4 J Pinnock (Eyn) 156, 5 K Williamson (Eyn) 189, 7 J Le Good (Wit) 253, 13= J Whitlock (Eyn) 291, 17 H West (Wit) 304. U20: 4 O Powell (Wit) 165. U11: 18 T Westbrook (Wit) 34. U9 girls and boys: 1 O Oweka (Wit, B) 2.
TEAM STANDINGS
Men – Senior – Div 1: 7 Eynsham A 1547, 8 Witney A 1711. Div 2: 4 Woodstock A 1545. Div 3: 6 Witney B 3527, 11 Eynsham B 4007.
Women – Senior – Div 1: 3 Woodstock A 158, 7 Witney A 273. Div 2: 4 Eynsham A 395. Div 3: 11 Witney B 723, 13 Woodstock B 853, 14 Eynsham B 862. Under 13: 10 Witney A 321.
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