Cross country runner Wendy is back to her best form (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cross country runner Wendy is back to her best form

WENDY Jones, a member of Cirencester Athletics Club, showed that she is back to her best form with two top results in recent county races.

In the opening round of the Gloucestershire Cross Country League at Dursley, she outpaced the rest in the ladies' field to take a comfortable victory over a testing course.

She was backed up by Jane Wassell, who finished in seventh place, and had there been a third Cirencester runner, the club could have taken the team prize.

Just a week later, Wendy lined up against a high-class field in last Sunday's Stroud half-marathon.

She finished as fifth lady overall and was first for the county as well as being highest placed finisher from a large contingent of Cirencester runners.

Bob Ferris beat off his club road race championship rivals in the same event to ensure that the title was his with Chris Riches and Chris Sherrington filling the runner-up places.

In the ladies' championship, Wendy Jones had to settle for second place behind the consistent Elaine Wilson who retained her road race title.

Wendy will, however, start favourite to win the club's cross country championship which starts in earnest next Sunday with the first round of the Oxford league at Ascott-under-Wychwood.

The ladies' team will naturally be hoping to go one better than last year's runner- up spot.

However, they will again face strong opposition from Headington.

The men will be happy to retain their place in the league's first division, but this will require a strong team to be fielded at each round.