THE decision to hold a separate South West Counties Cross Country Championships and introduce an Inter County competition for the first time was well vindicated as top athletes turned out both for clubs and counties to make this one of the best competitions seen in the region and certainly the best "Open" Championship for many years.

Held in the Bicton College grounds near Budleigh Salterton, only the weather dampened the high performances of the Cornish athletes.

The top performance came from under 17, Matthew Cleave who picked up from his last race at Exeter, where he not only beat the Westward League competittors but also headed home the Devon Championship athletes. Matt now takes on the front challenge at an earlier stage and these tactics are paying off as he surged up the final hill to the level finish, already assured of the victory and looking strong for the National Inter Counties later next month. Chris Dobson who finish 6th.

The county's first medal camefrom u13 Annabel Gummow. With the leader soon building a lead, Annabel maintained her position in the top three and was not far from the silver as the girls chased to the line.

The team win came from the under 13 Boys and on this performance should also put in a good challenge at Nottingham for the Nationals. George Linaker kept up his high standard, bringing the team home at fifth. He was quickly followed in by Callum Jones at seventh, Dan Nash, eighth and Luke Millington ninth. To back these up and ensure a team depth which will be needed next month, was Joe Skuse at 11th and Sam Williams 15th.

Jacob Landers gave two of the country's top distance athletes, Nathan Young and Ben Coldray, a real run for their money in the u15 Boys to finish a close third. He was just five seconds ahead of Dean Scott at fifth with James Waldie and Tyler Westby 13th and 14th to complete a second team display.

The front end of the Senior Men's race was dominated by Avon /Bristol and West athletes of International class but splitting these up were an international Cornish trio of Kevin Toher, Robbie Bugden and Dave Buzza.

Rob Whalley (BandW/Avon) managed to shake off the attentions of Devon's Kevin Heyward over the final lap with Kevin Toher well clear to take the bronze. Bugden at fifth, not only helped the Cornish team to third but was second scorer for the winning Bristol and West team whilst Buzza, at seventh, was the first M40 category athlete. With six in the Senior teams to score, Martin Exley, Kevin Sharpe and Chris Mulroy completed a fine Duchy result.

In her first major cross country race this winter, Jessica Hicks pulled out a solid performance to take fifth in the under 15 Girls race.

It was pleasing to see a full Senior Women's team toe the line for some time and to take a second place behind Somerset.

The under 17 Women just missed bronze by two places.