Merrien highlights his class

LEE MERRIEN emphasised the wide gulf in class between him and the rest of the island's elite distance runners with an impressive victory over eight miles at L'Ancresse on Saturday. Merrien, who had chosen to miss two of the three previous rounds of the Jones & Partners Winter League series, completed the four two-mile laps of the Millennium Stone circuit in 40min. 32sec.

Alan Rowe, making his first outing in the series, was a comfortable second in 43-01, while championship favourite Steve Dawes was third in 44-39.

In perfect conditions, Merrien completed the first circuit in exactly nine minutes, by which time he was 16sec. to the good on Rowe.

Dawes was a further 14sec. back on Rowe with Mark Mercier fourth, Dave Dyke fifth, Lee Garland sixth and Matt Loveridge, who was to win the two-lap under-15 race, seventh.

Merrien went through six miles in 29-30 but with the victory assured and only rabbit holes and the danger of a twisted ankle to concern him, he took his foot of the gas a little on the last circuit.

One of the most impressive runs came from the ever-improving Louise Perrio.

She was nearly two minutes ahead of closest rival Debbie Doherty in the Division Three race over four miles.

But after going through the line in 24-41, the new island number one voluntarily paced super-veteran Chris O'Neill an extra lap.

O'Neill took full advantage of the support to ensure that he opened an unassailable lead over John Addy in the Division Two ratings.

In Division Four, Jeremy Mew maintained his 100% series record, although he was pushed hard by Ian Garner who enjoyed a fine run by his standards and is now in a position to challenge Nick Le Messurier for second place.

The final race in the series takes place on 22 January.

Full results to follow