LET ME run against the men - that was the plea from Fairford international Wendy Nicholls after her runaway victory in the opening Oxford Cross Country League fixture, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

Nicholls dominated the women's race at Ascott under Wychwood to beat White Horse Harrier Frances Briscoe by 34 seconds.

"I would like to have run in the men's race, possibly without a number and not officially counting to see how I got on," said Nicholls.

"I reckon I could get around the top 10 and it would have given me a better work-out. It was an easy win in the womens race although everyone was running a lot quicker than last year on the same course."

Among those to impress was Nicholls' Cirencester AC clubmate Chris Illman. The 20-year-old student from Whelford, near Fairford, opened his cross country season with an impressive win, finishing over a minute clear of clubmate David Roper.

Top Swindon Harrier was veteran Brian Gardner in sixth place.

n SWINDON Harrier Tamsin Simmonds enjoyed an emphatic victory in the Over The Hills 12k multi terrain race held in Bradford on Avon.

Simmonds, running the event for the first time, cruised to victory in a time of 53minutes 11seconds, over two minutes clear of her nearest rival to finish 40th overall from the 265-strong field.

Melanie Blackman of Chippenham Harriers was third (56:25).

"It was a very impressive run by Tamsin on her debut in the event," said race organiser Tina Vivian.

n CHIPPENHAM international Amy Chalk clocked one of the fastest times in the 34-year history of the event to win the Victoria Park 4 miles road race in Bath.

The Wiltshire mum dominated the race from the gun to finish a minute clear of marathon runner Holly May in a time of 22mins 02secs, a time that has only been bettered by Vicky Pincombe in the past ten years.

"I'm delighted with that and it is a great boost to my confidence," said Chalk.

RESULTS Oxford Cross Country League - men: 1 Chris Illman (Ciren) 29:39; 2 David Roper (Ciren) 30:41; 3 Ed Womersley (Stroud, U20) 30:51; 4 Phil Hailes (Wit) 31:05; 5 Nigel Marley (Alc) 31:10; 6 Brian Gardner (Swin H, M45) 31:11. Women: 1 Wendy Nicholls (Ciren, W35) 17:11; 2 Frances Briscoe (WHH) 17:45; 3 Josephine Rhodes (WHH) 18:08.

Simmonds finished 40th overall form the 265-strong field 1 Tamsin Simmonds (Swindon H) 53:11; 2 Julie Humphries (Alton) 55:35; 3 Melanie Blackman (Chipp) 56:25.