BENFLEET Running Club were victorious on home turf at the latest round of the South Essex Cross-Country League.

The club hosted the second round of this year’s league at their energy-sapping Hadleigh Country Park course.

And home advantage paid off as they beat old adversaries Billericay to claim top spot.

The scoring team was made up of Matt Leeman (fourth), James Hiscock (11th), Graham Booty (13th), Paul Ruffy (14th), Eddy Cooper (19th), Terry Spooner (22nd) and Ross Hollands (23rd) for the men and Victoria Hiscock (fourth), Catherine Stunt (11th) and Georgina Warren (18th) for the ladies.

With four out of the 10 Benfleet runners aged under 20, the prospects certainly look good for the club in the future.

The individual race was won by Rob Warner of Havering 90 followed by Lee Johnson (Barking RC) and Harrison Smith (East Essex Tri Club).

Billericay Striders’ Emma Prideaux was the first woman to finish ahead of Rochford Running Club’s Lindsey Colman and East Essex Tri’s Hayley Hawes.

Leigh on Sea Striders had 74 members tackling the Hadleigh hills – and they took the division two title with ease.

Matibini Matibini was the first Strider home in eighth place and Andrea Hughes was first Strider home for the ladies, in seventh place. The LoSS men’s team scorers: Matibini Matibini (eighth), Dean Ovel (18th), Neil Spicer (21st), Simon Le Mare (24th), Clive Cheese (32nd) & Adam Lysons (35th) LoSS ladies team scorers: Andrea Hughes (seventh) and Stephanie Simpson (eighth) & Katie Spicer (12th).

Castlepoint Joggers had 29 runners turn out at Hadleigh with Richard Bonham leading them home in 58th spot.

Their first lady was Christina Edwards in 40th place.

Other CPJ men’s results: Ben Avery 66th, Rick Wade 77th, Adam Poulton 83rd, Peter Binns 87th, Cliff King 97th, Carl Jenner 105th, Richard Fearon 111th, Colin Dunn 124th, Mike Hopkins 125th, Dave Flannagan 129th, Barry Hockley 131st, Terry Maylin 133rd, Ian Hart 136th, Mark Colqhoun 138th, Graeme Edwards 155th, Paul Franklin 158th, Nigel Thorne 165th, Ray Vautier 166th, Rob Tobin 171st, Phil Ransom 175th and Chris Cammidge 193rd.

Ladies’ results: Jo Hamilton 59th, Kairen Hart 62nd, Debbie Dunn 82nd, Catherine Maylin 84th, Lorraine Heale 95th, Jan Steed 99th.