Herne Hill Harriers’ senior men’s squad set a benchmark for 2015 after medalling at the last major cross country championship of the year.

Harriers were second in the 12-man competition and third in the six-man event at the South of Thames 7.5-mile championship at Farthing Down, Coulsdon. Tom Conlon was first M50 finisher.

The club will take particular heart from the third-place showing, as they bid to be more competitive with Surrey rivals in the new year.

Chris Busaileh led the Herne Hill charge in sixth, with Mike Cummings (14th), Alan Barnes (19th), Simon Coombes (25th), Jeff Cunningham (26th) and John Kettle (33rd) completing the sextet.

Making up the 12-man team were John Tayleur (38th), Deron Fagan (50th), Tom Conlon (69th), Matt Munro (83rd), Jonathan Ratcliffe (85th) and Patrik Ewe (99th).

The women ran alongside the men at Farthing Down, with Karen Ellison finishing sixth, ahead of Ieva Lobaciute (23rd), Jen Barraclough (43rd) and Jess Winfield (44th).

The following day, 19-year-old Tayleur was back in action, running the fastest two-mile leg in 10 minutes one second, at Harriers’ Christmas cracker relay.

He was chased home by second-fastest Mohammed Ismail five seconds back.

In parkrun action, Robert Edwards was 13th at Dulwich in 19:17. Rick Pearson was 11th at Brockwell Park in 19:13.