An extraordinarily selfless act of sportsmanship will be long remembered by Medway and Maidstone's Tom Collins and many who witnessed his victory in the Kent Men’s Cross-Country League race at Sparrows Den, writes Alan Newman.

Collins emerged from the pack and with powerful running on the relentless hills had prized a narrow gap over 2010 Kent champion, Dean Lacy (Cambridge Harriers), when he missed the final turn.

Lacy assumed the lead role with Collins in pursuit but as the finish line arrived Lacy handed the race win to the bemused league leader by jogging the final metres. The official result showed a margin of two seconds in Collins’ favour.

Dominic Brown (under-20) played his part in the breakaway group and was rewarded with a best-ever third place to lead Tonbridge to team success on the day and overall.

Adam Wright (Cambridge Harriers) was another junior in top form and his fourth place set his club up for runners-up spot behind Tonbridge and ahead of M&M, who now look unlikely to retain their team trophy.

The top six was completed by Sam Coombes (Dartford Harriers) and Ben Tyler (M&M).

With just the final race remaining at Parkwood School, Swanley on February 8 the balance of power has swung in favour of Tonbridge at four and 12-to-score with a two-match points advantage over Medway and Maidstone.