WYCOMBE Phoenix runner Tim Gardner claimed top spot in the Bucks Cross Country Championships at Wing last weekend.

Gardner was a comfortable winner over the muddy 11km course finishing in 39 minutes, 28 seconds, over half-a-minute clear of second place Mike Simpson (Hounslow).

The win saw Gardner claim his third championship win of the season, having already won the Bucks, Berks & Oxon Championships and the South of England Under-23 Inter-Counties.

He is now planning to compete in the South of England Championships later this month, before competing for Bucks in the British Inter Counties Championships in February.

Joining him there will be Wycombe's Sue Aperghis who also continued her excellent run of form, winning the ladies title.

Aperghis pulled away in the middle of the 6km course to win by a comfortable margin.

Under-17 Rachel Nash was the eighth Bucks athlete home and she also goes to the Inter Counties next month.

Beaconsfield High School pupils Lucy Scott, Caroline Fox, Laura Dodd and Jo Dodd have all also been selected for the Bucks team going to next month's Inter-Counties championship.

Handy Cross runner David Bosley will also go to the championships next month after claiming third place at Wing.