IT was a case of almost there in every team event for Southampton Running Club in the second Hampshire Road Relay Championships at Portsmouth.

The ladies' team of Christine Robertson, Kaye Harwood, Karen Rushton and Rachel Byers did the business over the 4x4.5-kilometre course but were not quite quick enough to catch Winchester & District's India Lee, Georgina Benson, Bev Edwards and Jan Ross.

Fleet-footed Benson was the fastest senior, clocking 15min 56sec, while 16-year-old Lee - a new team member - was the swiftest junior (under-20) in 16.25.

Southampton RC's Eli Brown, Sally Diaper, Helen Gear and Nala McRobert were third overall and top B team.

When the men started, the wind at the Mountbatten Centre had eased slightly for the 6x4.5k test.

Southampton RC again finished runners-up through Graham Bungay, Dave Branfoot, Mark Campbell, Steve Haggerty, Pete Davis and Russell Coleman - after being sent out of the Hilsea Lido in the wrong direction!

Again Winchester & District won, thanks to Matt King, Nick Anderson, Adem Omar, Ian Hardcastle, Mike Gregory and Andy Greenleaf. Anderson was fastest senior in 13.47.

Winchester B did well to finish sixth overall thanks to George Hide, Jason Perry, Andy Woodcock, Marius Kwint, Andy Tremain and Alex Pritchard, the day's fastest under-20.

Southampton RC veteran men were hunting down their City of Portsmouth rivals throughout the relay, but failed by 31 seconds and had to settle for silver.

Bronze went to Winchester, for whom Les Wrangle was the day's second fastest vet.

Plans are already in the pipeline to hold a third annual Championship next year, probably in Southampton. Organiser John Marsh said: "Overall it was a very successful day with local clubs City of Portsmouth, Havant AC, Portsmouth Joggers, Victory AC and Stubbington Green providing invaluable support."

Next local event is the Marwell 10k on April 24.

HAMPSHIRE AA ROAD RESULTS:

Senior women:

1 Winchester & District - India Lee (under-20, 16.25), Georgina Benson (15.56), Bev Edwards (vet, 17.33), Jan Ross (vet, 17.16).

2 Southampton Running Club - Christina Robertson (16.54), Kaye Harwood (16.17), Karen Rushton (17.58), Rachel Byers (17.58).

3 Southampton Running Club B - Eli Brown (19.39), Sally Diaper (19.53), Helen Gear (19.12), Nala McRobert (18.10).

Senior men

1 Winchester & District - Matt King (14.05), Nick Anderson (13.47), Adem Omar (14.37), Ian Hardcastle (14.53), Mike Gregory (14.35), Andrew Greenleaf (14.33).

2 Southampton Running Club - Graham Bungay (14.57), Dave Branfoot (13.54), Mark Campbell (14.10), Steve Haggerty (15.34), Peter Davis (15.13), Russell Coleman (15.19).

3 City of Portsmouth - Alex Budd (14.51), Paul Hocking (14.33), John Brimecome (15.00), Chris Scott (15.11), Lewis Rogers (under-20, 16.43), Paul Bleach (14.52).

Veteran women:

1 City of Portsmouth - Tracy Burrows (18.25), Judy Morris (18.54), Helen Lockyer (17.28), Judy Oakley (16.51).

2 Alton Runners - Anne Rawlings (17.01), Jackie Scarfe (19.10), Diane Byrne (17.59), Sonia Humphreys (19.43).

Veteran men:

1 City of Portsmouth - Godrey Rhimes (15.36), Paul Davoile (15.01), Martyn Fowler (15.16), Dave Thomson (15.05).

2 Southampton Running Club - Peter Costley (15.20), Phil Desborough (15.21), Jon Grainger (15.14), Rob Thompson (15.34).

3 Winchester & District - Les Wrangle (15.07), Steve Goodwin (16.07), Mike Davies (16.08), Phil Manly (16.02).