A MERE ten seconds separated City of Salisbury’s Stuart Holloway from a great third place in the Stubbington 10k road race in the Hampshire League.

Although pipped on the line, he was happy enough with his classy time of 33min 16sec for sixth place.

It was one of his fastest times at the distance, despite cold and wet conditions all round the circular course near Fareham.

Mark Glanville also ran well, clocking 38.40, within four seconds of his personal best and Steve Auton was not far behind in 39.32.

Mike White shaved 30 seconds off his previous best with a good 40.29 to complete the men’s A team, continuing the club’s challenge for third place in the league’s second division.

The ladies’ team, led by Jane Whiteley who recorded 50.30, supported by Chrissy Gorham’s 50.45 for 11th place in her age group and Liz Roberts with 51.27, are contesting fourth place in their second division.

Ian Lawrence and Richard Larcombe were timed at 42.45 and 42.55 respectively, Craig Murphy 43.49 and Phil Perry 44.33 completing the men’s B team.

Other Salisbury finishers were John Ruskin in 45.27 for second place in his age group and Stuart Robertson with 45.56 in his first run at the distance.

In the Wiltshire Schools' cross country championships at Chippenham, the Salisbury club had double cause for celebration with Jaymee Domoney winning the seniors’ and Lukas Bailey the minor boys’ titles. Louise Webb also did well, finishing third in the intermediate girls’ event.

Also off road, Ian Shelley took a well-earned ninth place in a field of more than 500 at the annual Rough and Tumble 10mile near Pewsey, crossing the line in 74.50.