Beech Grove Academy, Nonington provided a testing course for the Kent Cross-Country League held in incessant rain and wind on Saturday, writes Alan Newman.

Medway and Maidstone made good progress in the women’s league as the men wait until later this month for their next clash at Sparrows Den, Hayes.

M&M won both team categories to edge ahead in the Kent Women’s League team tables with one match remaining at Parkwood School, Swanley on February 8.

The league is delicately poised as M&M are one point clear of trophy holders Blackheath and Bromley Harriers at three-to-score and tied on match points with the same opponents at six-to-score.

Alex Clay (Invicta East Kent) stormed away from 88 finishers to win by the thick end of a minute in 18min49sec. The 18-year-old World and European Cross-Country representative became the third different winner of the league this winter.

Another junior, Nicole Taylor (Tonbridge), was second from leading masters Alice Heather-Hayes (W35, Tunbridge Wells Harriers) and Maria Heslop (W45, Paddock Wood).

Rona Loubser (Folkestone Running Club) and Emily McKane (U20, Invicta) completed the top six ahead of M&M’s winning team of Hannah Miller, Jenny Fowler (W35) and Louise Knight (W40).

Invicta finished second to M&M at Nonington with Blackheath third at three-to-score. At six-to-score it was Blackheath and Tunbridge Wells Harriers chasing hardest.

The individual table shows Heather-Hayes (TWH) moving well clear in both the open and masters categories. Emily McKane (Invicta) provides the challenge in the open class and Jenny Fowler (M&M) is the best of the veteran opposition.