THE sharp deterioration in the weather on Sunday coincided with the opening event in the south west of the cross-country season.

The first of the Westward League meetings was held at Redruth with a good turnout of runners, despite the poor conditions.

Although a number of key runners were unavailable through injury Tavistock Athletic Club were well represented with five senior men and two junior athletes competing.

This included Martin Exley, making a welcome return to the league and significantly strengthening the club?s contingent. There was a particularly strong field in the senior men?s race with more than 100 runners taking part.

Exley was the first Tavistock runner to finish, in an excellent 28th place putting him in a strong position in the Vets category.

Robin Musgrave was the next Tavistock runner home in 49th position followed by Mike Lewis making his debut Westward League appearance and finishing in a good 68th place. Peter Bazley finished 88th followed closely by fellow club member Roger Hewitt in 90th position.

In the final race, Adam Holland and Adam Tofield competed in the Under 17 junior men?s event. This included another strong field and both Tavistock runners ran strongly with Adam Holland finishing in a good fourth place with Adam Tofield battling to the line and finishing in overall seventh.