SALTAIRE Striders' men's and women's teams both finished fifth in the Premier Division of the PECO CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUE after Sunday's final race at Roundhay Park.

But the ladies' team only preserved their top-flight status by the skin of the teeth over Chapel Allerton.

The Leeds club beat them in this fifth event to tie on points, and it was left to the countback of cumulative individual scores for Saltaire to survive.

Lesley Watson was 12th for Saltaire, as registered second-claimer, with Laura Ryall, Tamsin Treasure-Jones, Tracy Foy and Helen Love getting enough points for survival.

In the Second Division, Ilkley Ladies had only three finishers, but their earlier performances meant that they were promoted as champions.

Wharfedale scored excellently on the day, but finished fourth overall.

Wharfedale's men, by contrast, seem intent on a rapid rise up the league, being promoted from the Second Division with the best scores of the entire league.

Pudsey & Bramley, after last year's promotion, yo-yoed in the First Division, winning two races but coming last in two, so finishing mid-table. Ilkley's men will be promoted alongside Wharfedale.

The Roundhay race attracted 600 senior runners and over 100 juniors.

Star of the 1.2-mile race for school years Four to Six was one of the youngest runners in the field.

Maisey Bellwood (Keighley & Craven), who finished third girl in 8min 55sec, was only beaten by two Valley Striders athletes three years her senior.

Queensbury had a remarkable victory in the WEST YORKSHIRE WINTER LEAGUE's third race at Idle.

Chris Williams and Tom Collinge were second and third behind Stainland's Ben Mounsey.

The club, which numbered barely 15 members a couple of years ago, had 39 runners out.

The fifth and final race is at Pudsey on Sunday week.

The popular HOT TODDY race returned after a 25-month absence, with a new 10K course.

The 2014 race was cancelled and the 2015 one flooded out, hence £900 of the proceeds went to Calderdale Flood Relief Fund.

Over 200 turned out, with the race won by Salford Harriers' Tom Cornthwaite.

Calder Valley's Alex Whittem was best of the locals in fourth.