Croydon Harriers’ men’s hopes of an immediate return to the top flight of the 2XU Surrey cross-country league hang in the balance after a fifth place finish at Priory Park in Reigate.

The result leaves Croydon in second place overall, just 10 points adrift of leaders Dorking & Mole Valley and 18 points clear of Dulwich, with just two promotion slots available.

Ben Savill led the Croydon challenge, finishing fourth in 32 minutes 39 seconds over the 5.5 mile course in the near 200 strong field.

David White (20th, 34:28), Alex Penfold (21st, 34;38), Ernie Hann (25th, 34:54) and Jake English (34th, 36:30) followed Savill home.

The remainder of the scoring 10 consisted of Glenn Barden (60th, 36:36), Mark Lynch (63rd, 36:52), David Brown (64th, 36:58), Simon Loughran (86th, 38:34) and Neil Aikman (89th, 38:57).

In Division Two of the Surrey Women’s League, Anna Corby kept the Croydon flag flying finishing 208th out of 380 competitors, leaving the Harriers 32nd in the standings, and Jessica Moore was 14th in the U15 girls' race.

Kyra Sethna-McIntosh was the first U13 girl home for Croydon in 15th in her highest finish in the league this season. Amelia Middleton (20th), Cassandra Howard (39th) and Sasha Howard (40th) completed the scoring quartet to ensure the Harriers finished seventh in the team race.

At the Surrey Boy’s league, Jordan O’Dongo (39th) was the first Harrier home, and was supported by Adam Shew (62nd) and Imran Salim (77th) out of 95 finishers.