LUDLOW runner Heulwen Gilbert made light work of the tough conditions to easily win the women's Herefordshire Cross County League race at Croft Castle.

The 18-year-old, who is a still a junior, finished the one-and-a-half lap course in a time of 34 mins 12, a full 39 seconds ahead of nearest challenger Laura Tootell of Wye Valley Runners.

It was Gilbert's first ever league triumph and there was further joy for her family as Gilbert's twin sister Eilish finished in a creditable seventh place with a time of 38.20, just behind fellow Ludlow runner Claire Thomas.

Croft Ambrey Running Club's Gemma Mallett (fourth) and Liz Bowers (fifth) could not stop Ludlow taking the women's team prize on the day, but the team are now equal first with Wye Valley after two races.

Scottish international Bowers is 62, while 54-year-old GB triathlon international Nicky Turvey finished eighth to provide experience to the Croft team who finished just three points behind Ludlow Runners.

A further four points adrift were Wye Valley Runners, with Alex Chump in ninth, closely followed by Danca Machakova in 10th providing solid backing for Tootell.

In the five-race series, Croft Ambrey and Wye Valley share the lead, with Ludlow four points behind in third place.

Croft are joint second in the men's league table after a solid outing.

Simon Norwood, who was competing in his first race after a successful outing in the European Triathlon Championships, finished eighth, while Stacey Morgan, fresh from a marathon win in Hereford, was 11th.

Elsewhere, Sam Mayglothling was 12th and Dave George 17th.

The race was won by Tim Davies, representing the newly-enrolled Maldwyn Harriers from Newtown.

The 2010 British Fell Running champion powered to the front in the early stages of the first-long climb of the three-lap race, with reigning league champion and winner of this season's first race, Eliot Taylor, valiantly giving chase.

Davies completed his first league victory in a time of 46.40, with Taylor finished just over a minute behind.

Taylor had the consolation of leading his Hereford Couriers team to their second successive league triumph.

The Couriers hold a four-point lead at the top with Croft Ambrey and Monross Trailblazers tied in second place.

The event was marked with a ceremonial planting of an oak tree to celebrate the 30th running of the race.

It was performed by Brian Davies, one of the founding members of Croft Ambrey Running Club, who has run in every one of the 30 races.

The third race in the series will be held at Ufton Court on Sunday, December 7.