Deirdre McDermot closes in on Kent Women's Cross-Country League crown
Published: 08:31, 15 November 2011
Deirdre McDermot has one hand on the Cliff Temple Memorial individual trophy following the third Kent Women's cross country league race of the 2011-12 season.
The 2009, 2010 and 2011 champion looks set to take a fourth consecutive title after a commanding victory in perfect conditions at Danson Park on Saturday.
The Tonbridge School teacher, from Ireland, (pictured in last year's competition) led from gun to tape and once early pressure from top junior, Emily Hosker-Thornhill of Invicta East Kent AC, had been resisted there was only going to be one winner of this race.
Shavaun Henry of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers came through for second place, 46 seconds in arrears, as Hosker-Thornhill held off the late challenge of 2008 champion, Helena Penfold of Medway and Maidstone AC.
Nadene Weed of Maidstone Harriers was first W35 master in fifth place and Clare Reeves of host club Bexley AC completed the top six ahead of Nicola Groom of Larkfield AC, who progressed from 12th to seventh place on the second lap.
Leading athletes in the higher age groups were W45 Helen Garrett (24th) of Beckenham Road Runners and W55 Lesley Hall (36th) of Ashford AC. There was another strong field of 110 finishers.
Blackheath and Bromley Harriers took the team win ahead of a close tussle between Invicta East Kent and Tonbridge AC, with Medway & Maidstone leading the rest.
Tonbridge still leads the league table from Blackheath and Bromley and Medway & Maidstone.
The final Kent Women's league race is at Parkwood School, Swanley on February 11.
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KentOnline reporter