Tom Collins of Medway and Maidstone retained his senior men’s title at the final match in the Kent Cross-Country League at Swanley, writes Alan Newman.

Collins led on the first of three laps but Scott Overall (Blackheath and Bromley Harriers) and under-20 junior Abel Tsegay (Invicta East Kent) took first and second, while Phil Sesseman of Blackheath grabbed third, but fourth place was enough for a second successive title.

Tonbridge’s winning team score was enough to make them winners of the Kent Messenger Cup at four-to-score. The club doubled their rewards with success at 12-to-score over Blackheath and M&M on the day and overall.

The leading masters at Swanley were M45 Richard Tomlinson (M&M, 20th), M50 Andy Howey (Tunbridge Wells Harriers, 27th) and M60 John Harley (Tonbridge, 90th).

Tomlinson was beaten by Richard Newsome (South Kent Harriers) on cumulative time over three races after a draw on points for the over-40 trophy. Howey (M50) and Graham Eke (M60) took the older categories and the M70 league champion was Eric Schofield (Tunbridge Wells Harriers) from last season’s victor Bryon Taylor (TWH).

Emily McKane of Invicta East Kent was the new name on the Cliff Temple Memorial Trophy for senior women’s champion. Defending champion Alice Heather-Hayes (W35, TWH) won the women's race but missed one of the four events so the individual trophy went to McKane, who finished second at Swanley ahead of Carole Penlington (W35, Blackheath).

Blackheath edged M&M’s team on the day after a tie-break was required at three-to-score yet it was not quite enough for the overall team title as Tonbridge held on by a point despite slipping to sixth at Swanley. Tunbridge Wells Harriers took the six-to-score league after another consistent winter.

W45 Helen Wheeler (South Kent Harriers, eighth), W60 Sue James (Paddock Wood, 48th) and W75 Jeanette Giles (Istead & Ifield Harriers, 67th) led the higher age groups in the final race. Louise Watson-Knight (W35), Donna Mewis (Beckenham, W45), James (W55) and Giles (W65) were declared overall category winners.