Nestl Rowntree AC won the penultimate North Yorkshire and South Durham League race at Hartlepool, despite missing several key performers.

The overall team positions have yet to be confirmed ahead of the final fixture at Richmond, but Rowntrees should go into it with a sizeable lead over their rivals.

Andy Hilton (3rd) achieved Nestl's highest placing, defeating series leader Paul Welham (New Marske) in a determined run for home over the last mile. Andy Burt finished seventh and team captain Bob Duncan (15th) edged out Steve Ratcliffe (16th), while Michael Raynes (18th) and Jerry Barnes (22nd) found the going tough after several races in recent weeks. Martin Lawn and Paul Lewis also ran. In the women's race, Julie Simpson finished 16th.

Updated: 11:57 Thursday, March 06, 2003