Reigate Priory Cross Country Relays, Priory Park, Reigate

Belles second at Reigate

Sarah Murphy took the first leg, as is her preference, to battle it out up front. Posting the Belles fastest leg of the day, and 5th fastest leg overall, Sarah brought the Belles home in 3rd spot. It was her fastest time ever over the Reigate course on a day when fast times were in evidence.

Tilly is proving to be on the road to full recovery, moving the Belles up one slot and being just 18 seconds down on her best over the Priory. Thinking that Arena's athlete was on her shoulder for the last mile Tilly pushed hard - although the guy who was struggling (but not managing) to get past wouldn't be pleased to hear she thought he was a girl.

And so to last leg, with the Belles a minute and a half down on SLH and with Caroline Hoyte of Arena heading off just after Catherine Bryson, there was tension in the air - could Catherine reel in such a big gap and fend off an aggressive attack from third spot? Unfortunately the SLH runner couldn't be seen throughout the race yet alone be caught, but Catherine confidently held off Arena to bring the Belles home in 2nd slot, and captured the 7th fastest leg of the day.

1 South London H 46:36; 2 Belgrave H 48:21; 3 Arena 80 48:47.

S Murphy (3) 15:48; T Heaton (2) 16:40; C Bryson (2) 15:53.

Fastest: E Baker (South London) 14:05; G Bruinuels (Dorking &MV) 15:37; L Watson (Medway &M) 15:42; S Murphy (Belgrave) 15:48.

Restored from the club's earlier website, belgraveharriers.com, and published here as originally written.