MERVYN Keys of Rossendale Harriers and Andy Wrench from Todmorden Harriers had their own private battle to be the best of our local runners in the 16th Soreen Stanbury Splash Fell Race.

After seven miles of hard racing, Keys' margin was nine seconds as he recorded 47.51 for fifth position with Wrench sixth in 48.00.

In-form Ken Taylor from Rossendale turned in another good performance in the over 50 section, finishing a very close second to a flying Tony Hesketh (Horwich). Hesketh was only seven seconds off the course record despite windy conditions. Third was Taylor's team mate Barry Rawlinson. Jean Rawlinson, Barry's wife, won the lady veterans class, whilst first over 60 man was Ross Jaques of Clayton Harriers.

Bingley's Ian Holmes was the race winner, his fourth victory setting a new record. In all it was his 22nd victory on Haworth Moor. The top two were the same as last year with sheep farmer Gavin Bland (Borrowdale) once again second. Bland's strength is his climbing and he took turns to lead as the pair headed uphill into the wind towards the trig point. But once they picked up the Pennine Way and got the wind behind them, Holmes raced away to win by close on a minute and a half. Ladies winner as Lisa Lacon of Holmfirth who is a karate instructor and holds a black belt. Pudsey and Bramley were the winning team with Allan Whalley from Burnley amongst their counters. Results (overall): 1 Ian Holmes (Bingley) 45.18, 2 Gavin Bland (Borrowdale) 46.40, 3 James Logue (Horwich) 47.11, 4 Paul Dobson (Leeds) 47.26, 5 Mervyn Keys (Rossendale) 47.51, 6 Andy Wrench (Todmorden) 48.00. Also: 10 Alan Whalley 50.00.

Team: 1 Pudsey & Bramley. Ladies: 1 Lisa Lacon (Holmfirth) 60.37.

East Lancs - Clayton: 12 Andy Black 50.51, 37 Shaun Addison 54.25, 43 Dave Walker 55.11, 51 Mark Nutter 56.36, 53 Sean Clare 57.10, 54 Jeff Pickup 57.12, 59 Richard Baker 57.43, 76 Harry Walker 59.15, 82 Dave Hindle 59.45, 84 Andrew Austin 59.51, 86 Andrew Dugdale 60.25, 95 Martin Clark 60.01, 112 Andy Baxter 62.48, 114 Ross Jaques 62.54, 119 Chris Ainsworth 63.19, 127 David Thornton 64.22, 134 Peter Dugdale 65.66, 135 Richard Moore 64.59, 143 Steve White 65.47, 149 Craig Eccles 66.15, 150 Graham Eccles 66.16, 189 Derrick Brown 74.17, 198 David Bailey 77.15, 206 Kieron Ashworth 78.54.

Rossendale: 23 Ken Taylor 52.23, 26 Thornton Taylor 52.47, 29 Garry Sumner 53.09, 40 Andy Preedy 54.49, 41 Dave Holt 54.57, 44 Barry Rawlinson 55.16, 58 Ken Masser 57.32, 60 Keith Masser 67.46, 63 Colin Gilmour 58.02, 133 Jean Rawlijnson 64.48, 142 Brian Trickett 65.34, 144 Jeff Fletcher 65.50, 186 Alan McGuinness 73.22, 187 Marie Preedy 74.08, 196 Mike Ferguson 76.49, 211 Jim Goodwin 79.43.

Darwen Dashers: 64 Julian Donnelly 58.05, 70 Vinny Brookes 58.44, 163 Dave Shorrock 68.43.

Accrington RR: 158 Gerald Kitchen 67.58.

Hyndburn: 188 Andrew Biddle 74.08.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.