Ranelagh Harriers boosted their hopes of an immediate return to the top flight when they won the second 2XU Surrey Cross Country League Division Two match on Wimbledon Common on Saturday.

After winning the first match in Croydon’s Lloyd Park, Ranelagh’s Phil Killingley was confident of another success as he led the field from the start.

Clubmate Pete Haarer and Guildford’s Ben Wallis were the only other runners able to match his pace over the undulating and muddy two-lap course and, while Haarer dropped away soon after the halfway stage, Wallis proved a more formidable opponent.

Killingley made his bid for victory halfway up a final uphill stretch to the finish but Wallis failed to give in and used his greater speed to edge past in the final strides to snatch a thrilling win by no more than the width of a vest, with both runners clocking 26 minutes, 24 seconds.

However, Killingley again led Ranelagh to a comfortable team triumph.

Veteran Haarer hung onto third place (27:11) with Steve Whitehead (27:31) seventh, Nathan Mills (27:59) 15th, Ed Barker (29:04) 26th, team captain Mark Snaith (29:22) 30th, Niall O'Connor (29:24) 31st, John Shaw (29:35) 35th, and first veteran over 50, Chris Bundham (30:06) 45th, and Mark Wyldbore (30:20) 53rd completing the scoring team of 10.

Clapham Chasers, who were second team, led in by James Ellis (fifth in 27:28) with Ian Connor (13th in 27:46), Reial Carol (14th in 27:55), Tobias Mews (27th in 29:11), Guy McLaren (33rd in 29:30) and Matt Ward (37th in 29:41) their other leading runners.

Kingston & Polytechnic slipped from their third place in the opening match to finish fourth. They were led in by Jamie McCullagfh (18th in 28:09) and George Corcoran (19th in 28:10) followed by Andy Arbour (25th in 28:52), Richard Mathye (29th in 29:19), Matt Hyett (32nd in 29:27), Mike Maranzano (34th in 29:33), Mike Huntley (36th in 29:37) and Toy McDowall (38th in 29:43).

Martin Snodgrass (11th in 27:44) was leading finisher for hosts Wimbledon Windmilers whose second runner was Seb Jones (42nd in 30:04).

Teams: 1 Ranelagh 247; 2 Clapham Chasers 317; 3 Guildford & Godalming 321; 4 Kingston & Polytechnic 361; 5 Striders of Croydon 390; 6 Ful-on-Tri 553; 7 Wimbledon Windmilers 563; 8 Dulwich Runners 592; 9 26.2 Road Runners Club 751.

Standings after two matches: 1 Ranelagh 495; 2 Clapham Chasers 609; 3 Kingston & Polytechnic 699; 4 Guildford & Godalming 725; 5 Striders of Croydon 831; 6 Dulwich Runners 972; 7 Wimbledon Windmilers 1151; 8 Ful-on-Tri 1227; 9 26.2 Road Runners Club 1481.