THE Mid-Essex Cross Country League got off to a muddy start at Stebbing in an opening round hosted by Grange Farm and Dunmow Runners.

Point scorers for the hosts' women were Claudine Davie, who finished third, Kerry Harrington (seventh), Jo Bisset-Smith (11th) and Charlotte King (12th).

Finishing second, James Bosher was Grange Farm’s fastest man, followed by Alistair Brown (fourth), Lee Pickering (fifth), Steve Read (14th), Dan Reynolds (15th), Matt Webster (22nd) and Josh Sowman (28th).

GFDR’s men’s and women’s teams both finished in second position.

Springfield Striders were the men’s winning team, with Braintree and District Athletic Club third, while for the women, Little Baddow were first and Springfield Striders were third ahead of Braintree.