LEAGUE champions Paddock Wood AC confirmed their status when they won the end of season relay for Kent Fitness Cross Country League teams, despite a race-long battle with rivals Larkfield AC.

Tina Oldershaw won the opening stage of this five by two miles relay, on the hilly slopes of Shorne Country Park, to set Paddock Wood up for the victory.

After the first leg, which was for women only, Larkfield were third through Nicola Susans but 48 seconds in arrears as Annabelle Stearns had led the race for Gravesend before being forced to give best to Oldershaw’s finish.

Gareth Evans turned Larkfield’s fortunes around on leg two, with the second fastest time of the race, to overhaul Paddock Wood’s Richard Bidois on the line for an advantage of two seconds.

Progress was also being made by Dartford Harriers, Swanley and District and host club Istead and Ifield, with Dartford Road Runners also coming into the frame.

Iain Morris (Larkfield) and Des White (Paddock Wood) held station on leg three with identical times, so there was no change in position for the leaders at the halfway stage, with Larkfield still in front by two seconds.

The situation changed on leg three with Rob Rowland taking Paddock Wood into a comfortable lead over Larkfield’s Michael Evans to give Peter Buckingham the glory leg for Paddock Wood, with a final margin of nine seconds over Simon Hesketh of Larkfield.