THE Horwich RMI Harrier Men's Vets Team just missed out on winning the British Fell Team title in the final race at Brecon Beacons last Saturday, finishing runners up in the six race series.

Leading the way at Brecon was Steve Barlow who finished fourth vet.

The team had already secured the English Team title in July 27, with one race still to come in October, and only narrowly missed out on repeating their "double" of last year.

Their tough season started in March and included victories at Pen Y Ghent, Skiddaw and Holme Moss.

Seven of the eight Harriers who have counted for the team are pictured (right) before last Wednesday's Horwich RMI Harriers Jubilee Race at Rivington .

The team counters in the Championships have been M40's Steve Barlow, Colin Jones, Rob Howarth and Neil Wrigley, M45's Jeff Holloway, Steve Jackson and Graham Schofield and M60 Paul Murray.

Paul Muller broke 32 minutes in the Birchwood 10K. Both Pete Bland and Mel Walker won their age categories in the final Haigh Hall 5 Mile Road Race.

Haigh Hall 5: 1. P. Freary (Belgrave) 24.50; 9. A. Neary 27.08; 23. C. Heys 28.01; 30. A. Sunter M40 29.34; 31. D. Fleming M40 29.36; 40. P. Boardman M40 30.20; 59. P. Bland 1st M55 32.36; 61. M. Walker 1st M60 32.47; 68. R. Thompson 1st LJ 33.43; 72. K. Makin 3rd M55 33.53; 79. J. Abbott L 34.22; 84. A. Sweatman M50 34.58; 94. L. Smart 2nd L45 36.02; 106. C. Sweatman 3rd L45 37.53; 126. A. Crompton 3rd L35 46.24. Finishers 129.

Men's Teams (4): 1. Wigan P 31, 4. Horwich 80. Ladies' Teams (3): 1. Wigan P 14, 3. Horwich 38.