Ben Tickner and Claire Hallisey won the first SW XC League. I finished 5th, just behind Dan M. just ahead of Dave Buzz. It wasn't that long a race, and with the Under 17s starting with the men but doing a lap less, the start was as fast as ever. After a while Ben Tickner was left in the lead, and Bristol Uni's Steve Mitchell moved into second place. Steve does have some impressive talent and slotted into second without any drama. I was going along well enough in the middle part of the race, although I didn't feel very strong going up the hills. Kevin Toher went past after a while, I think most of us expected him and Olly Shilston to be up there with Ben, but it didn't turn out that way for them on the day. Towards the end Dan M. came past - twice as the first time was just before the top of a convenient downhill section where I could get the leg speed going for a short while. He is in a determined mood at the moment, it's not long to the Belfast Masters race. Claire H. was another Uni-ite looking assured on her way to great result - victory in her case. The womens race was also over a shortish course, and although the start was too fast, Claire always looked comfortable, and broke away to establish a fair gap over the rest of the field. Sian moved through to sixth, again it was clear from the start that some of the leaders would slow down as the race went on. Ali looks to be back into the swing of things, and Jo and Mo just keep on showing the younger ones how it's done. There are lots of top masters athletes at Bristol, but perhaps a mark of inner quality is to live a long way from top competition and still be near the pace in races - and Dave Buzz was right behind us. It was good to chat to him for a while; in the old days, the phrase Richards, Buzza and King was serious stuff, and doubtless they benefitted from each other. There's little hope of a formiddable Cornish masters trio, as Jon Richards has a very successful professional career outside sport, but there might be a chance of Mark King doing a few races. It was great that Dave won the European Minorities marathon - even though Cornwall is as much a part of South West England as any other county these days. It's the first Westward race I've done since I left Exeter Uni for Preston, and it will be interesting to see how the South West league goes in the future. In a way the Avon based clubs are already drifting towards running at the local fixtures in Bristol and Bath with the occasional trip to Exeter, Gloucester and Cardiff. The days of driving for four hours to make sure you finish the last league race of the season are in the past. There's always Senneleys and the Mike Sully for the younger athletes who want to progress in the sport. ...and talking of younger athletes Naomi won her race - the story goes that it was combined with the boys race, and only two of them finished ahead of her!!! ...and the new fridge is due to arrive today, so let's hope that an end to eating dodgy food.