City of Salisbury athletes continued their tussle at the top of the Hampshire road league tables when they clashed with rivals Winchester AC at the testing Ryde 10mile race on the Isle of Wight, writes John Ruskin.

Back on form, Stuart Holloway gave Salisbury a strong lead-out by finishing second with a 57min 38sec run in the men’s race behind Joe Wade from Ryde AC.

Ben Saunby did equally well to take first junior award and eighth overall in 60.32, then came Richard Davidson 63.04 and Matt Sherfield 64.57 to complete the A team.

Peter Callanan’s 66.10 notched third spot in his age group and Mike Brewster’s 66.18 was second in his, with James Mills at 66.40 and Jonathan Croom 67.53 for B team honours.

Club coach Craig Weatherburn led the C team in with 67.57 and he was followed by Steve Mitchell 70.43, Marc Hankins 70.56 and Richard Larcombe 72.34 and the D quartet comprised Derek Wood 74.27 for one of the day’s few personal bests, Jonathan Kershaw 74.55, Jason Bennett 75.41 and Craig Murphy 77.11.

In the ladies’ race Sarah Brewster matched husband Mike’s fine running when she clocked 78.59 to lead the A team and take second place in her age group, and close behind were Ali Holloway 81.15 and Vicky Robinson 81.37.

Also placing second in their respective age groups were the B team’s Heather Hitchins at 84.30 and Linda Robson 85.14, with Alison Scott between them on 85.12.

The C team ladies were led by Rachel Bala 85.43, followed by Mel Murphy 86.34 and Jane Whiteley 89.01, and the D trio comprised Jane Knight with 91.56, Helen Carlton 93.38 and Lisa Milner 93.45.

Next league fixture is the keenly anticipated Salisbury 10mile road race on March 29th.