by Alan Newman

Nicole Taylor of Tonbridge has one hand firmly on the Cliff Temple Memorial Trophy for the Kent Women’s cross-country league individual winner following her latest win on a superb new course at Beech Grove Academy, Nonington.

Taylor reached the finish line with 28 seconds in hand over Tina Oldershaw (W45, Paddock Wood), who was followed home by W35 Alice Heather-Hayes (Tunbridge Wells Harriers). These three athletes now hold the leading overall positions in the league with just one race remaining this season.

Blackheath and Bromley Harriers took team success ahead of Medway and Maidstone and Folkestone Running Club. Folkestone also won the six-to-score team category from Tunbridge Wells Harriers and Tonbridge AC.

Taylor now needs to finish in the top six in the final match at Parkwood School, Swanley on February 9 to claim the title.

The team events remain close with Blackheath and Bromley Harriers now one match point ahead of M&M, while the six-to-score league is still tight with Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells Harriers and Blackheath and Bromley Harriers separated by one match point.

The new class of men over-70 ran with the women and this race saw a third consecutive victory for Eric Schofield over his Tunbridge Wells Harriers team-mates John Dyson and Bryon Taylor. Schofield is now effectively unbeatable in the league standings.