IT was a win win situation when Haslemere Border Athletics Club did the double for a second-year running.

Haslemere Border hosted the last of the six cross-country races in the Southern League, and they had to win the cup to ensure they retained the championship.

More than 300 competitors from 23 clubs in Hampshire and South West Surrey ran the five-mile route, which took them to the bottom of Hindhead’s Devil’s Punch Bowl and back up to the top.

It was very cold, but conditions underfoot were dry for once, and it was the two hills that posed the main challenge.

Many Haslemere Border members were unable to run, as they were acting as marshals or providing support for The Royal School, which had donated its sports hall for the event.

Despite numbers being depleted, the club fielded 34 runners and the fastest was Duncan Selmes, in second place overall, closely followed by Luke Shearring, third, Charlie Rickett, fourth, Tom Mendum, sixth, and Olli Bradshaw, eighth. They combined to give the men’s team first place.

The club ladies were up against it, with Jackie Field, fastest and sixth overall, Helen Barren, seventh, Donna Read, 11th, and Philomel Bennet, 15th, but that was enough to give the ladies team first place.

As a result of both teams topping the score board, Haslemere Border won the league for a second year in succession.

League chairman Bob Ayre presented the Championship Cup to captains Amy Smith and Sofia Shearring (above), and club vice-president Dave Bateman, congratulated all the teams for their efforts and thanked The Royal School for its support.

“This was a superb team effort,” club chairman Bob Monteath said. “Not only did our runners produce a great set of results, but all those working behind the scenes made this a most successful event.

"We look forward to next year knowing we are the team to beat”

The other club ladies finishing positions included: Faye Noble Evans (43), Rosie Dyke (49), Claire Beswick (53), Lisa Blaydon (57), Sarah Bergquist (63), Rosalind Minto(67), Caroline Searle (68), Rachel Barlow (90), Louise Turner (92), Karen Dixon (95), Sarah Pennant (102), Tina Laing (105), Anne Marie (110), and Joanne Jones (112).

Men’s finishing positions: Luke Brocks (22), Dan Allaway(26), Tom Gant (30), Dean Kellaway (58), Peter Aucamp (62), John Raynor (63), Rob Webb (80), Charlie Barwick (83), Alastair Doyle (111), Richard Spandley (117), and Tom Bampton(122)

For more information about the club go to: www.hbac.co.uk