STEVE Crowe led Ellesmere Port Running Club to a charge on top spot in the Borders Road Running League.

He won the fourth round at Christleton as 21 members of EPRC took part in the six-mile race.

The club consolidated its position in third thanks to the large turnout and is now aiming to push for the title.

Crowe sped home in first place in a time of 31 minutes 35 seconds. The other outstanding effort saw Madelaine Bird soar home in 44:55 to come first in the lady veterans 50 section and top the season's rankings too.

Returning to form after a blip in last month's Four Villages Half Marathon, Mark Dodd powered home in 34:13 just ahead of Denis Duret in 34:34.

In a three-sided battle they were joined by Simon Jeffs who finished in 34:50 and their competition will only get more fierce in coming weeks.

Paul Robertson finished in 35:36, with Nicky Bird close behind in a 36:35 time that was good enough to keep her at the top of the individual senior lady rankings.

Matt Whitfield again kept some of his younger rivals in the shade when finishing in 36:42, notably Danny Legg (38:06) and Tony Hyland (38:39).

Although he may have retired from the Royal Mail, Dave Nalder can still deliver the goods and romped home in 38:57. Following him in were John Hawker (39:30), John Jennings (39:40), Brian Griffiths (40:05), Keith Musson (40:39), Alison Macdonald (40:52), Dave Roberts (41:35), Alan Durston (42:36), Roy Traynor (43:23), Nigel Crieri (46:22) and Natasha Hadley (49:18).

Although the ladies team remain closer to the bottom than the top of Division One, any thoughts of relegation should be banished if they perform well in the next two rounds.