CITY of Salisbury Athletic Club’s injury-hit squad put up a great fight at the Lordshill 10mile Hampshire league race, but had to concede points in both the men’s and women’s tables to rival clubs running at full strength.

Not yet at his best this season, Stuart Holloway was less than two minutes down on winner Josh Cole of Bournemouth AC (53min 41sec), but took sixth place with a good 55.30 to lead out the men’s A team.

Chris Southern crossed the line just three places back with 56.39 to get the better of Ben Brewster’s 57.07 in 11th, and Michael Brewster completed the A team to win his age group with 58.42.

Salisbury had to concede league leadership, at least until the next fixture, to their great rivals Stubbington Green in the men’s competition and clearly have a fight on their hands to retain the league title they won last year.

Faye Parker, pictured, continued to blaze a trail in the ladies’ team, her 66.46 another personal best which lifts her further up the individual table. Sally Greenslade was next team counter with 70.00 and Liz Roberts did well to complete the trio with 82.36.

Other Salisbury finishers were Ian Shelley 62.43, Phil Smith 66.50, Nick Willetts with another personal best 71.36, Craig Murphy 74.57, Mel Holloway 76.16, John Ruskin 77.38, Andy Robbins 81.40 pb, and Jeanette Hardiman 86.54.