HIGHGATE Harriers Women's bid to win their eighth Metropolitan League title received a boost as they won their match against Woodford on Saturday. The Harriers haul of 745 points took them ahead of Woodford (741). Highgate now sit second in the league...

HIGHGATE Harriers Women's bid to win their eighth Metropolitan League title received a boost as they won their match against Woodford on Saturday.

The Harriers' haul of 745 points took them ahead of Woodford (741). Highgate now sit second in the league on 1,427 points, just 25 adrift of leaders Woodford Green with Essex Ladies.

Highgate filled two of the first three placings, with Becky Penty finishing second in 21 minutes 12 seconds.

Ester Evans came in third, and was the first over-35 finisher in 21:45, behind race winner Jessica Sparke of Woodford, who won in 20:01.

Kate Meredith was next across the line in 22:48, followed by Astrid Wingler (23:05), Sarah Bailey (23:30), Amy Forshaw (23:25), Alex Goodwin (25:55), Sonja Saqui (26:35) and Sarah Chapman.

Highgate Harriers women's veteran team took 203 points, making them the leading team with 438 points, while the men's teams finished fourth overall with 3,491 points.

Dale Bickham was first Harrier home in 26:34 to finish 20th overall, while Ryan McKinlay (27:10) was 31st, finishing ahead of Glenn Saqui (27:11) in 32nd, Jon Laybourn (27:34) in 39th, Duncan Burbidge (27:35) in 41st and Matt Green (28:06) in 59th.

n LONDON Heathside's Women finished third in the Metropolitan League meeting on Saturday, with 15 runners taking part in the event. Ella Waldman was the first home for the club in sixth place, with a time of 22:24.

She was followed by 13th-placed Sue Rust in 23:06, who just got the better of 15th-placed Claire Gibson (23:09). Sarah Swinhoe suffered a bout of cramp, which restricted her to 23:56 and a 25th-placed finish.