Debutante Sam Clayton led the Croydon Harriers charge at the latest Surrey cross-country league fixture at Lloyd Park on Saturday, writes Matthew Kiernan.
The Australian covered the treacherous 5-mile course in 33 minutes, 20 seconds, to finish 24th in the 100 strong field.
He was ably supported by Colin Oxlade (29th, 34:05), Robbie Powell (32nd, 34:20), David Brown (50th, 34:54) and Andy Del Nevo (52nd 36:10).
The remainder of the scoring 10 consisted of Julian Dillow, Keith Brown, Norman Hemming, Eric Campbell and Isaac Butcher.
Non-scoring support came courtesy of Robert Rye, Ralph Hawkins and Jaran Finn.
The team now lie seventh overall in the nine club division, with two fixtures remaining.
In the young athletes race, Ben Savill (seventh) and Stirling Gibbons (14th) both picked up injuries over the 2.5mile course but still valiantly finished, while Omar Harhara (third) and Luca Brewster (ninth) flew the flag in the U13s' race.
At the front of the field it was once again Peter Chambers who took the U17 honours, winning the race in 15:36.
The victory proved a nice consolation for the 15 year-old after he finished 2nd at the Lord Mayors Mile in London just hours before.
Also at the prestigious London race was Patrick Lucas who was 11th in 4:59 in the same 13-14 category as Chambers. Elsewhere Stevie Lawrence just missed out on a podium placing on the line in the 13-14 category, finishing 4th in 5:50, while Rob Spalding (11-12) finished 11th in 5:41.
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