Both Headington and Oxford City fielded slightly weakened teams in the first race of the Oxford Mail League, after keeping the Oxfordshire flag flying in Round 2 of the Chiltern League the previous day.

The mud and hills of Shotover proved a sterner test than the parkland and gravel paths of the previous round's race in Watford, and the grit of the local teams started to show through.

In the women's race, Headington were third overall team, led home by Allison Hirst in fourth place. Oxford City were fifth, with Rebecca Candlin the second junior to finish.

In a packed and classy men's race, City's new star Phillipon made a great start to his campaign, coming in third ahead of several nationally-known runners.

Nevertheless, Headington just won the local battle, finishing as sixth team, pipping City in seventh. As usual, City were top veteran team on the day, with Richard Grant and Dave Wheeler second and third V40s and Roy Treadwell second V50.

Headington fans had to wait a long time before their first man came home John Griffiths in 38th place.

But then the yellow vests came in thick and fast and Headington were the fourth club to finish, their team of ten runners bringing the club up to sixth overall.

Oxford City also had a good day in the under 17s and Under 15s' races, with A Moreton third in the Under 17 boys and H England winning the Under 15 girls. The day's efforts moved both City and Headington one place up the overall table to eighth and ninth respectively.

White Horse Harrier Lisa Godding-Feltham finished fifth lady when she completed the Marlow Half Marathon on Sunday in 1 hr 29 mins 59 secs for 37th place overall.

Clubmate Richard Frame came home in 22nd position in 1.25.52.