The county champs was combined with Somerset and the SW League - Ben Tickner and Katie Knowles were impressive winners, I finished a solid enough 6th while Sian is the new Avon champion. Ben didn't look under too much pressure from the start, and it was good to see Jon W. nearer his potential in an XC race in second place early on. Craig was also in good form, and as the race went on he passed Jon - who seemed not to enjoy the one muddy section of the course. I spent most of the race trying to get past Eliot H. who eventually got a gap on the last lap after I managed to get past him for a few yards. The course was in good condition and the pace felt very fast, Steve M. was in 4th place ahead of us, but he seemed to speed up as we did! In the end it was one of those solid races, I was very pleased with my county champs run last year when it was part of the Gwent so I should be pleased. Katie was assured enough as she lead the women's race, but Claire H. was going well and looking determined in second. Sian finished 4th after getting past Jenny Moores in the final stages,and this run won the Avon championship!! Congratulations to Craig who the SW League - somehow I suspect this league may be reassessed.