Rossendale Harriers' best ever runner Dave Lewis made a surprise appearance at Towneley Park, Burnley for the second round of the Mid Lancs Cross Country League on Saturday.

Lewis showed that he has lost none of that competitive edge as he was first over 45 veteran and tenth overall in the senior men's race. His presence also boosted Dale's promotion hopes as their senior men were the Division 4 winners.

The club's senior women made it a double with first in Division 3 to join Blackpool at the head of the table, with Heather Corbishley the pick of the team in 22nd.

Their junior men and junior women also top the table thanks in part to fine runs from Phil Bolton and Sarah Yeomans.

Chorley Harriers are another club going for promotion on two fronts, with the men winning in the Division 3 for the second time, and the women being inspired to second in Division 2 by eighth-placed Lynne Clough.

On a good day at Towneley, Pendle AC produced the first winner of the day when Amy Moran won the U11 girls' race, and the club added to its success when Emma Spencer and Melissa Berry helped them to second team in the U15 girls' race.

Blackburn Harriers were a little thin on the ground this time, but with six races in eight weeks for competitors in the Mid Lancs and Red Rose Leagues, there were bound to be some absentees.

In-form Karl Billington won again in the U17s ahead of Rossendale's Joe Kelly, while Elizabeth Greenwood made third in the U11 girls' event.

Clayton-le-Moors Harriers continued to shine in the senior team standings, demonstrating their strength in depth as the senior, over 40 and over 60 men were all winners.

Barry Mitchell was the M60 victor with Mark Aspinall second over 40.

Sue Burns and Anna Kelly were third and fourth for the over 45 women.

l Blackburn Harrier Evan Cook is a travelling reserve for the England team at the British and Irish Masters International Cross Country at Stormont Castle in Belfast this weekend.

He may be called up if someone withdraws, but otherwise is guaranteed a run in the open race over the same course.

One Lancastrian aiming high will be Wesham's over 50 Alex Rowe.