Herne Hill Harriers' first female club president Claire Pauzers led her team to victory in the South of the Thames junior cross-country race at Coulsdon on Saturday.

It was a moment of history for Pauzers who finished second overall as it was the first time women had been allowed to enter the 113-year-old championship.

She was backed up by Lesley Leggett (ninth), Sally Dawson (13th) and Ruth Reffell, and other Harriers athletes to finish were Shelene Wiezniel and Nicky Harvey (24th).

The women scored 46 points to beat Dulwich and South London Harriers a score duplicated by the Herne Hill men, who finished second in the four-to-score men's team race.

Ian Munt was third, Simon Stevens 10th, Lyndon McKevitt 12th and Ian Lockett 21st.

The club's day was completed satisfactorily when it won the eight-to-score shield, with Mur-ray Newman in 23rd just failing to take a silver team award.

The Herne Hill Harriers cross country section has now won three trophies at senior level in two weeks.

This success was mirrored in the sports hall event at Carshalton, where the club had more than 50 competitors.

The girls' U13 and U15 squads both tasted victory, while the boys' U13 and U15 squads were second and first respectively.

Herne Hill's Mick Boyle went to Falkirk, Scotland, to run for England in the veterans' international cross country race and featured in the winning England team, although he was disappointed with his final position of seventh.

November 16, 2001 10:31