OXFORDSHIRE athletes had to play second fiddle at the Eynsham 10K where both winners came from outside the county.

City of Norwich’s Nick Earl claimed the men’s honours, clocking an impressive 32mins 3secs in blustery conditions.

Regular Oxford Mail Cross Country League runner Wendy Nicholls (Cirencester) took the ladies’ title in 36.17.

Oxford City’s Darrell Bellinger continued his good recent form with second place in 32.20, while Woodstock Harrier Sophie Carter was the second lady home, clocking 37.33 for 47th place.

Conditions were fairly warm for the two-lap race, which incorporates the Oxfordshire 10K Championship, but runners faced a stiff headwind on the A40 cycle path.

Earl’s clubmate Joshua Entwistle was third in 32.54, while Headington Roadrunner Chris Dettmar was fourth and first vet 40 in 32.56, ahead of Abingdon’s Oz Ellis (33.08).

In the county championship, Bellinger was first senior man, ahead of Ellis and Banbury’s Tim Wright (34.15).

Steve Male (33.54) led a City one-two-three in the vet 40 category, followed by Steve Overton (35.04) and John Atyeo (35.12).

City also won the men’s team prize, ahead of Abingdon Amblers and Woodstock.

Heine Van Zyl (Oxford City) was the vet 50 champion in 35.14. Clubmate Dave Parsons, who turned 65 on Monday, was first vet 60 in 38.15.

City’s Matthieu Marshall, 16, was first junior man in 35.59.

Headington’s Diane Moore won the ladies vet 35 category in 39.22, Alison Hurst (unnattached) took the vet 45 prize 38.54 and Abingdon’s Cath Brighton was the first vet 55 lady in 48.51.

Headington’s Moore, Charlotte Harris (40.09) and Elizabeth Barker (40.14) took the ladies’ team prize, ahead of Woodstock and Alchester.