A MIXTURE of sunshine, showers, deep mud and tough hills made Blackburn's Witton Park a true cross country test with which to set off the new Mid-Lancs League season.

Although most of Kendal's younger senior women have returned to university, Rebecca Robinson came home to continue her racing after the boost of a 10th place finish in last week's Reebok Challenge at Falkirk.

Witton Park's tough course seemed to suit Rebecca, who said afterwards that she felt relaxed throughout to finishing second in 23min 42sec and ahead of Lancaster & Morecambe's Louise Gardener who is also in great shape.

Unfortunately, running the race in tandem with the Under-17 boys event, Rebecca had not noticed that one competitor, Pauline Powell of Blackburn Harriers, had gone well clear of the field.

Among the veterans, Paula Lernelius was Kendal's first vet 35 in 28.58. Dianne Priestley pushed hard to gain places over the final lap for a satisfying third vet 40 and 30th overall in 29.01. Jane Quine completed the vets' 35 team counters, which was fourth, and she came 40th in 29-55.

Although disappointed with her run, Marion Smith was eighth vet 45 and 50th overall in 30-48. Carolyn Kevin found herself boxed in by the men and was 63rd in 33-36 to complete the vet 45 team, who finished a single point behind North Fylde in second place.

The senior men had a depleted team due to the fell relays, but John Quine 78th, Pete Acland 83rd, Chris Tidmarsh 88th, Stuart McGurk 138th, Andy Stafford 186th and Kevin O'Neill 207th all ran well to finish fifth team in Division 3.

Due to the demands of his other sporting talents, Danny Edmondson said he had not put in enough training of late. Nevertheless he achieved seventh in the under-15 boys race with a strong finish.

After a successful Great North Run, Alisdair Russell had the extra mileage needed to take him up an age group into junior men and could be well pleased with his fourth place.