THE men’s cross country team from Bromsgrove and Redditch AC are closing in on promotion to the Birmingham and District Cross Country League top flight after winning the third fixture.

A 24-strong squad turned out for the most recent race at Burbage Common which saw the A team take victory over Wolverhampton and moves the club into second place overall with one race remaining.

Over the 10.5 kilometre muddy but largely flat course, the club were once again lead home with strong running by Joe Smith in eighth place.

He was aptly supported by James Bowler in 17th, Adam Lloyd (26th), Mark Appleton (27th), Rich Lomas (29th) and James Hood (34th). These six runners claimed victory with a season’s best score of just 148 points for the A team.

Meanwhile, the B side also claimed victory over the other B sides, indicating the depth of the squad with Simon Lanckham (38th), Darren Hale (39th), Dave Gemmil (41st), Andy Freeman (64th), Malcom Duff (75th) and Kevin Lanckham (87th).

There were also strong displays by Bromsgrove and Redditch AC runners Dave Gale (101st), Steve Williams (107th), Ian Keyte (117th), Dean Hartshorne (135th), Mark Graham (136th), John Searle (140th), Steve Brooks (142nd), Lewis Anderson (151st), Jamie Dancyger (153rd), Daryll Thomas (170th), Phil Richardson (193rd) and Phil Anderson (212th).

With three clubs to be promoted, BRAC are strongly-placed to return to the top flight of one of the UK’s toughest leagues for the first time since 2002. This would see the club compete against the likes of Tipton, Birchfield, Coventry Godiva and Loughborough University.

However, team manager Len Quartley is cautious against any premature celebrations.

He said: “It was a great result on Saturday and a great all round team performance, but we should not think we are promoted just yet – there is the final race at Wolverhampton to be run.”

l In the Midlands Women's Cross Country League, Bromsgrove and Redditch AC won their Division Two fixture in Droitwich on Sunday. Katy Anderson finished first for the club in 20th (27:33), followed by Sally Hogan (40th, 28:23) and Tamara Ball (47th, 28:52).