Striders of Croydon faced strong opposition in the opening 2XU Surrey League Division Two match of the season, at Wimbledon Common on Saturday, and had to settle for a disappointing ninth place.

Phil Coales led them home with a very good run to place 10th of the 165 finishers, covering the five-mile course in 27 minutes 51 seconds.

Lee Flanagan was next home in 31st (29:13) with Justin Macenhill 58th (30:26) and team captain Krzysztof Klidzia 65th (30:51).

Simon Ambrosi was 68th (31:04) with Martin Filer 80th (32:06), Greg Williams 89th (32:27), Barry White 90th (32:28), Simon Webster 94th (32:45) and Darren Woods completing the scoring team in 97th (33:03). 

Meanwhile Striders’ women finished 12th in their Division Two match at Roundshaw.

They were again led by Becky Laurence who had a very good run to place 28th of the 178 finishers, covering the six-kilometre course in 27:53.

Charlotte Letchford, making her league debut, ran very well for 62nd (30:33) with Selena Wong 78th (31:35), Adele Boesinger 88th (32:14) and Sarah Fisher completing the scoring team in 102nd (33:18).

Club stalwart Linda Daniel led the B team in 104th (33:23) with Nadine Pryce making her club debut in 121st (33:55), followed by Melanie Hinds and Victoria Legge.