Headington's Richard Bromley edged ahead of his big rival Pete Wilson of White Horse Harriers in the race for the senior men's individual title after winning the fourth and penultimate round of the Oxford Mail Cross Country League at a wet Cirencester Park on Sunday.

The course was very muddy in parts, which suited runners like Headington's Jethro Lennox, but not too many of the others.

Bromley came home 19 seconds ahead of Bourton Road Runners' Dennis Walmsley, who appeared back to full fitness after injury.

Headington runners Lennox and Garry Harris just crossed the line in front of White Horse Harrier Wilson, who nevertheless retains overall second place ahead of Walmsley.

The scene is set for a grandstand finish to the senior men's team competition in next month's final round

With three of the top four finishers in Bromley, Lennox and Harris, second-placed Headington narrowed the gap between league leaders White Horse Harriers and them to less than 40 points.

And the big question now, is can the small Wantage-based club, composed purely of first-claim runners hold off the challenge from Headington?

It seemed for a while that Headington would easily wipe out the 75-point deficit that they had at the start of the race, but Harriers packed well with five runners between fifth and 17th places, so that the Headington winning margin was only 30 points.

Elsewhere, several titles were decided in the individual rankings with Tom Penfold (Under 17 men), Chris Gillespie (Under 15 boys), Frances Briscoe (Under 20 women) and Jo Rhodes (Under 15 girls) all in uncatchable positions.

The team title in the Under 17 men's section, though, is far from decided with Witney enjoying the narrowest of leads over White Horse.

Cirencester's Wendy Jones won the senior women's race on her home course the event was organised by Cirencester AC with Briscoe taking second place from Headington's Allison Hirst.

Jones now looks to have a virtually unassailable lead in the race for the women's individual title.

But Headington look certain to take the team title.

The generally flat course involved laps of a park and woodland variety, and featured a demanding short, steep hill section towards the final stretch of each circuit.

Conditions were very wet underfoot and the muddy woodland trails made the race a true test of stamina for the 200 competing runners.