Cross CcountrySAINT Edmund Pacers had their best showing of the campaign at the fourth Fenn Wright Suffolk Winter League meeting of the season, staged at Haughley Park on Sunday, while Stowmarket took top spot on their home ground.

Cross Ccountry

SAINT Edmund Pacers had their best showing of the campaign at the fourth Fenn Wright Suffolk Winter League meeting of the season, staged at Haughley Park on Sunday, while Stowmarket took top spot on their home ground.

Ipswich Harriers still have a sizeable lead of 74 points, which they will hope to protect during the final race at Nowton Park (Bury St Edmunds) on February 4.

Stowmarket are now clear in second spot, having pulled away from closest rivals Waveney Valley AC.

The coambined Newmarket and Sudbury Joggers team have maintained their fourth position all season, with Saint Edmund Pacers back in fifth place

Peter Barker, of the Pacers, gave David Miller a good run for his money over two laps of the park in the senior men's race.

Barker had a slight lead at one point, before Miller proved the stronger during the final stages. This was the 151st victory of Miller's career.

Barker was second, with teenager Luke Allen, of Waveney Valley AC, taking third spot.

Allen won the first race at Framlingham last October, and is leading the under-20 age group.

Veteran Paul Holly, who was second to Kelvin Hardy at the Suffolk County Championships in Hadleigh earlier in the month, was a fine fourth in the colours of Newmarket Joggers. Team-mate David Laing was fifth.

Glynn Thomas was the leading Ipswich Harrier in sixth position, confirming his billing as the top veteran in the league.

Ian Keeble was first home for Stowmarket Striders in sixth.

Helen Decker, who runs second claim for Sudbury, won the ladies' event - she has also been in dominant form for her first club, Ipswich Jaffa, in the equivalent 53-12 North-Essex League.

There was a welcome return to the Suffolk scene for Jo Tweed, who is currently based in Northampton.

Tweed, of the Pacers, will be representing Northamptonshire at the Inter-Counties Championships in Nottingham next month.

Tweed finished strongly in second spot. She is also planning to run the London Marathon in April, as is Decker.

Tracey Curl, of Waveney Valley AC, took third position with Stowmarket's Mary Narey in fourth, and the consistent Tricia Dennison in fifth.

Stowmarket won on the day, by the slender margin of just seven points from the Pacers, with Newmarket and Sudbury's combined team 16 points further back.