KENDAL AAC clubmates had a tussle to the finish line at the Vets National Cross Country meeting at Mansfield when Dianne Priestley was pushed all the way by Marrion Smith, who was just two seconds adrift.

Priestley finished 10th Vet 50 and Smith, a new months younger, was 12th Vet 45.

Hopes for a team challenge were dashed because Heather Goodman is recovering from injury.

The Kendal Ladies team picked up a Division 1 bronze medal at the Mid Lancs Cross Country Series presentation at Preston.

Christine Handforth was Kendal's leading points scorer and was the first Kendal athlete to finish in all the race apart from the Reebok Challenge, in which Gemma Phillips led home the team.

Helen Parsons also score well and other contributors were Sharon Dixon, Dianne Priestley, Marrion Smith, Paula Holland and Heather Goodman.

Rebecca Robinson gained maximum points in the Under-20 section to take the gold medal after she returned from studies at Newcastle University for each meeting to represent Kendal.

Had they been able to field a team at all the events, the Under-15 girls and the Under-17 boys would have surely gained medals - and this must be a real incentive for them next season.