McDonald belies her inexperience to lead Leamington C&AC home

The fast, undulating course threw up less mud than the series opener at Newbold Comyn and was won in 18min 4sec by Laura Whittle (Royal Sutton Coldfield AC).

McDonald led home Leamington in 20:49 for 40th overall.

Angela Chahal (84th in 22:30) and Jenny Jeeves (116th in 23:27) completed the team which lies fifth in Division Two after the opening two fixtures.

Despite some absentees due to illness, Kenilworth Runners produced some sterling performances to finish 20th out of 37 teams and now sit ninth in Division Two.

Their masters’ team finished an excellent eighth on the day out of 22 and now lie sixth overall.

The ladies worked well as a team, pushing each other on, with Louise Andrews (88th in 22:35), Courtney Thornberry (91st in 22:42) and Danielle Mohacsi (110th in 23:12) finishing in the first three team counter positions, supported ably by Lucy Heather (120th in 23:32), Gemma Ellis (122nd in 23:39)and ladies’ captain Sara Habib (126th in 23:52).

Spa Striders’ nine-strong squad finished 23rd overall and sit one place behind Kenilworth in the division.

Jo Fleming returned from her honeymoon to finish 85th in 22:33.

Fiona Edwards (127th in 23:59) and Bethan Gwynn (135th in 24:13) completed the scoring team.

Striders’ masters’ team are also hot on the heels of Kenilworth, sitting two places back in eighth.

Selected others (Spa Striders unless stated): 143, Clare Hinton (24:31); 144, Stef Lunn (Kenilworth Runners, 24:35); 158, Cassie Oury (24:57); 172, Laura Gould (Kenilworth Runners, 25:29); 177, Jude Baum (25:34); 201, Amanda Wiggins (26:45); 207, Sheela Kennedy (Kenilworth Runners, 26:58); 209, Helen Forrest (27:10); 228, Suzi Graham (28:29); 242, Pauline Dable (Kenilworth Runners, 29.30).