Allison Hirst, running for newly-promoted Headington Road Runners, battled to third place in the Chiltern League Division 1 match at Watford on Saturday.

Headington's women's team secured a creditable fourth place overall while a weakened men's team found things a little tougher and finished eighth out of 11 teams.

Meanwhile, Oxford City's mainly veteran team performed well over the 51/4-mile course at Cassiobury Park.

City were led in by senior man John Chapple with Richard Grant and Simon Johnson close behind.

Dave Wheeler and a fine run from V50 Mick Welland completed the four to score.

In the main ten-to-score race, City finished fifth of the 11 teams. The next fixture takes place at Oxford on November 4.