Ben Warren recorded his first ever win in the Sussex Cross Country League while Brighton and Hove's Julia Downes continued her domination of the women's field.

Warren, 20, from Hailsham, won the senior men's five-mile race at Lancing Manor on Saturday as he, and Downes, both swept aside strong challenges despite entries being down for the third event of the series.

The Hailsham athlete, who is only one month too old for the under-20 age group, won in 28min.13sec.

Crawley's Ed Prickett, who ran for Great Britain's junior team in last year's World Cross Country Championships, made the early running with club-mate Kevin Holland and in-form Jamie Baker from Chichester.

Warren kept close to Prickett as he forced the pace just before the half way mark. As the runners completed the third of their four laps, Warren opened up a 20-yard lead which he increased to 100 yards over the final circuit.

Prickett finished 100 yards clear of third placed Baker while young Hastings runner Emile Tambeh produced his best run to claim fourth place narrowly ahead of Worthing's Tom Fuller, the first under-20 runner to finish.

Warren said: "I feel I am running quite well and I will be aiming to get among the medals at next weekend's Sussex Championships at Stanmer Park."

The Crawley club won their third team victory of the season.

Brighton and Hove's Downes cruised home in 20min.21sec ahead of Brighton and Hove veteran Julia Armstrong who came in a minute behind.

Brighton and Hove's Katy Moore crossed the line third but was competing in the under-17 race held in conjunction and Arena 80s' Vicki Boyle took third in the senior event.

Brighton and Hove edged out Arena 80 in the team event.