AFTER being unable to field two full teams of four in the previous week's fixture at Barnham, it was gratifying for the Great Yarmouth Road Runners to have a full complement, indeed with runners to spare, in the fifth race in this year's East Anglian Cross Country League, held at Shouldham Warren, near Downham Market.

AFTER being unable to field two full teams of four in the previous week's fixture at Barnham, it was gratifying for the Great Yarmouth Road Runners to have a full complement, indeed with runners to spare, in the fifth race in this year's East Anglian Cross Country League, held at Shouldham Warren, near Downham Market.

The race, staged on this occasion by RAF Marham and under the watchful eye of the new secretary of the league, Al Duncan - also of RAF Marham - proceeded very smoothly, with a great deal of inter-club rivalry, writes Mike Spragg.

Leading the way home once again for the Great Yarmouth team was James Jackson of the East Norfolk Sixth Form College, using the event as preparation for last weekend's National Championships at Uxbridge and this week's Norfolk Schools' event at Sloughbottom Park, Norwich.

He was well supported on this occasion by Richard Blake, Dan Chaney and the rapidly-improving Jordon Plane.

After this week's event at Wattisham Airfield, there are now just two races remaining in the league and many of the Road Runners are well placed individually.

Mike Spragg was first home for the B team, with John Bone, Gary Stanley and Ryan Love all helping to get the team back on track again after the two races when they could not muster a full team.

It may be too late, but they have every intention of being somewhere in there at the finish.

Proving that there is indeed strength in depth here were Paul Westgate, Stephen Haughton, who continued in spite of incurring an injury during the race, and Alex Smith, showing his usual determination.

For the ladies, Alice Wicks ploughed a lonely furrow but was rewarded with a fourth place overall and 197 more points in the league to add to those she has already got.

She expects to be joined by a number of other ladies in forthcoming races in this series and at other events which are to take place.

This weekend sees cross country races at Biggleswade tomorrow and at Houghton Hall on Sunday, though most attention will be on the inaugural Reedham 10-mile event, also on Sunday, which promises to be an exciting and interesting addition to the road-racing calendar.

EACCL, race five, Shouldham Warren, Wednesday, January 21

Great Yarmouth Road Runners positions, points and cumulative points:

Results: 2 James Jackson 199 pts, 597 cumulative points; 23 Richard Blake 178, 714; 28 Dan Chaney 173, 527; 31 Jordon Reed 170, 663. Total Team A 720

Results: 34 Mike Spragg 167, 659; 40 John Bone 161, 776; 41 Gary Stanley 160, 469; 42 Ryan Love 159, 466. Total Team B 647.

Results: 44 Paul Westgate 157, 600; 45 Stephen Haughton 156, 832; 50 Alex Smith 151, 441.

Ladies: 4 Alice Wicks 197, 594.