THE final cross country race of the season was held on the Blaise estate recently, deciding the final results for the Gwent League Championships.

Thornbury Running Club's men suffered a drop to the Second Division following a poor turnout in a previous season and, although finishing fifth, were unable to get high enough for promotion back to Division One.

The ladies' team finished the season well-placed in Division One of the League, in ninth position.

The strong Vet 60 team finished the season in third place, and Andi Davies' individual place of eighth MV40 was a great result against strong competition. Children Luke and Heidi Davies won their age races, and with it the League Championships for under-14 boys and under-17 girls respectively.

Rosie Allen was disappointed to finish in fourth place in the under-15 girls' race, though still keeping her place at the top of the table.

In total contrast to the previous race the sun shone with some warmth and the ground conditions were soft to good.

Davies made sure he would be first home for the club with a top-50 finish, coming 48th in 38:08.

Ash Hodgetts, returning to fitness after injury, was unable to stay with him, wisely deciding to protect his recovered knee, but still ran well to finish 71st in 39:48. Garry Slater came next, 87th in 40.39, with Steve Allen 106th in 41.50.

Jack Grudgings had his first cross country run with the club and in better shoes would have been quicker than 45.04 and 163rd place.

Thornbury's over-60s runners were led by Nick Langridge, who was still fighting to recover from illness and was well below his best, 205th in 48:28.

Jerry Clothier had another good race, to come second Vet65 and 221st in 50:31, leading Steve Dimond (225th, 51:54) and Pete Mainstone (231st, 53:46).

The relative positions of the club's women runners was a foregone conclusion.

After a quick start by Ros Rowland, Fiona Etherington passed her and many more besides, running a well-judged race to finish 32nd in 21:44.

Rowland continued strongly, finishing second V50 and 66th 23.45, with Nicky Davies 102nd in 26.12 and Judy Mills 130th in 27:47.