NYLE Clinton gave the perfect response to his disappointing performance at the recent European trials in the latest Oxford Mail Cross-Country League race – but surprisingly didn’t finish top Swindon Harrier.

The 19-year-old from Middleleaze followed up his victory in the opening league race with a solid third place at Harcourt Hill but pride of place for the club went to Ben Cole with an excellent second place.

Cole, who lives in west Swindon and is a second claim member of the Harriers as he also races for Kent club Tonbridge AC, chased eventual winner David Bruce of Oxford really hard as the top trio dominated the race.

“The three of them were well clear of the others and it was only in the last bit that Dave broke clear of Ben and Nyle to win,” said Harriers coach Bryan Clinton.

“Dave ad Ben are both sub 70 minutes half marathon men and very strong, so for Nyle to finish so close to them was a really good run and he looked more like his old self.”

Clinton was easily top junior man and with the Harriers packing their leading seven runners – including 800m track specialist Ciaran Cooper enjoying some over-distance work – inside the top 60 of 248 finishers they easily finished top of the Division Two team standings, 174 points clear of Oxford City’s B squad.

In the under 13 boys’ race Ben McIntyre was given second place even though he and winner Skip Snelson of Banbury were awarded the same time in a blanket finish.

In the under 13 girls’ event the Harriers’ trio of Dara Kelly, Georgina Robbins and Sophie Capel finished a creditable eighth in the team competition.

Elliott Lassister of Marlborough & District Juniors impressed with fourth place in the under 17 men’s race.

Senior men teams – Division 2: 1 Swindon Harriers 219 (2 Cole, 3 Clinton, 36 Simon Byrne, 37 Simon Dill, 42 Luke Byrne, 43 Ciaran Cooper, 56 Dominic Hodge).

U17 men: 4 Elliot Lassiter (M).

U13 boys: 2 Ben McIntyre (S); 23 Michael Gilder (S).

U17/15 girls: 26 Mirada King (S).

U13 girls: 18 Beth Mayer (M); 23 Dara Kelly (S); 28 Georgina Robbins (S), 41 Sophie Capel (S); 48 Anna Curtis (S); 50 Emily Cousins (S); 51 Sophie Hill (S).

U11 girls: 29 Lauren Curtis (S).