Horwich RMI Ladies have virtually led the field in three different events over the last few weeks.

They won the overall and over 35s in the South East Lancs cross country at Leigh before repeating the feat in the Red Rose at Rochdale,.

Last week they entered the tough East Lancashire cross country for the first time and were rewarded with second place behind Wilmslow Running Club.

The race at Leigh was the third in the South East lancs cross-country series where Horwich turned out in force to defend the three titles they won last season.

Janet Rashleigh put herself in a strong strong position to win the overall title with one race remaining after finishing first by 21 seconds from A Powell of Leigh

Julie Harold had a superb race to finish ninth and first Vet 40, with Sue Webb hard on her heels in 10th. Gaynor Higson, who has battled every step of the way this season, was only 10 seconds adrift in 12th.

Next for Horwich and making the top 20 was Audrey Foster in 18th, closely followed by Linda Leyland in 19th, Elizabeth Smart was next in 22nd with Jenny Abbott (second Junior) in 24th and Christine Boardman improving with every race in 34th (third Junior).

The ever-reliable Christine Sweatman was the final Horwich runner in 58th out of 77 runners who completed the race.

Times and Positions -- 1. Janet Rashleigh 26.59; 9. Julie Harold 29.50; 10. Sue Webb 30.17; 12. Gaynor Higson 30.27; 18. Audrey Foster 31.46; 19. Linda Leyland 32.00; 22. Eliz Smart 33.06; 24. Jenny Abbott 33.14; 34. Chris Boardman 34.58; 58. Chris Sweatman 39.47.

Janet Rashleigh also won the Red Rose League at Rochdale by nearly two minutes and was ably supported by Julie Harold who ran a typical gutsy race to finish fourth with Gaynor Higson having a storming run to finish eighth and complete the scoring team.

Four Horwich Ladies then crossed the line in quick succession led by Audrey Foster in 10th , Jenny Abbott 11th (first Junior), Linda Leyland 12th and Nicola Guffog 13th .

Further down the field four more Horwich Ladies were battling for every position with Jenny Simmonite in 23rd, Christine Sweatman 25th, Judith Heale 27th (2nd vet 5O) and Shirley Cook in 28th completing the Horwich runners on the day.

1. Janet Rashleigh 22.51; 4. Julie Harold 26.10; 8. Gaynor Higson 26.44; 10. Audrey Foster 27.07; 11. Jenny Abbott 27.13; 12. Linda Leyland 27.20; 13. Nicola Guffog 27.38; 23. Jenny Simmonite 31.35; 25. Chris Sweatman 32.25; 27. Judith Heale 33.28; 28. Shirley Cook 35.11.

At Wythenshawe, third placed Sue Webb led Horwich home. Gaynor Higson had another fine run in fourth place with Audrey Foster in seventh completing the team on the day.

Horwich took the second team award behind Wilmslow Running Club with Sale Harriers in third.

1. S Gilliver (Wilmslow) 35.34; 3. Sue Webb 36.27; 4. Gaynor Higson 36.45; 7. Audrey Foster 37.49.