Belgrave Harriers will be confident of another victory in the Sweat Shop Surrey Cross Country League Division One on their home Wimbledon Common course tomorrow (Saturday), writes Tom Pollack.

Harriers enjoyed a narrow victory over neighbours and reigning champions Thames Hare and Hounds in the opening match at Brockwell Park last month.

Since their triumph at Brockwell Park, Belgrave's confidence has been given a big boost with their first-ever triumph in the Nike AAA six-stage road relay championship at Birmingham's Sutton Park. Few would bet against another Belgrave victory tomorrow.

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Thames, who finished 20 points behind Belgrave in the opening encounter, admit they won't be as strong as they would like as some of their Scottish members will be competing for Scottish clubs in the popular Edinburgh to Glasgow road relay on Sunday.

Herne Hill's Dave Taylor, who gained such an impressive individual win at Brockwell Park, will be out to repeat his success.

Kingston and Polytechnic host the Division Two match from Richmond Park's Kingston Gate. They hope home advantage will enable them to improve on their fifth team place in the opening match at Merrow Downs, Guildford, which was won by Guildford and Godalming.

Epsom and Ewell Harriers, Stragglers and Hercules Wimbledon also compete at Richmond Park.

Having won the opening encounter on Wimbledon Common, Wimbledon Windmilers seek more success in the second Division Three match on Epsom Downs being hosted by Dorking and Mole Valley.

Walton were third at Wimbledon and other clubs in action on the Downs include Collingwood, Sutton and District and Elmbridge Road Runners.

The second Surrey Ladies League match is being staged in conjunction with the Division Four contest at Tilford.

Herne Hill's Clare Pauzers fresh from leading her club to victory in the inaugural South of the Thames race at Coulsdon, will hope to overcome South London Harriers in rural Surrey.

Thames Hare and Hounds were third in the opening match while Belgrave put themselves in line for promotion by winning the Division Two contest from Stragglers and Wimbledon Windmilers.

November 16, 2001 12:01