The loss of the final fixture in this season's Sussex Cross Country League produced unexpected results in the senior age groups.

There are four races during the season and the individual title is based on the best three results.

Many leading runners plan their season to race in only three events. However, this appears to have backfired as the fourth race of the season was cancelled due to the foot and mouth outbreak.

Crawley's Kevin Holland, who had won one and finished second in one race, looked set to take the title after the final races, which had already been switched from Crawley to Lancing.

Brighton and Hove's Keith Newton, who had won the first race in October, looked set to take advantage of any slip up from the Crawley runner but it was not to be.

It was James Baker from Chichester who eventually came out on top, having completed the first three races including a fine third placing in the fixture in wind, rain and mud at Brinsbury College in November.

Baker's total of 15 points, however, is believed to be the highest ever total for the gold medal in this event.

Brighton and Hove's Steve Dabson, whose highest placing this season was seventh, will be delighted to get the silver medal as he only returned to serious racing at the beginning of the cross country season.

The senior women's group also provided a surprise. Arena 80's Caroline Hoyte, the county champion who already had two league victories under her belt, looked certain to win her first ever title.

However, the loss of the final race allowed namesake Louise Hoyte to take the crown.

This was suitable recognition for the compact Horsham runner who has been one of the most reliable and loyal Sussex cross country runners as she has moved through the age groups and now at 21 is rewarded with a gold medal.

Laura Durn, from Phoenix, took silver and bronze went to Nicola Davey-Thomas (Worthing).

Although not yet officially a Sussex athlete Jenny Brown, who now lives at Eastbourne, was the nearest the county got to representation in the World Cross Country Championships at Ostend last weekend.

In the type of wet and muddy conditions that she faced when she won the Southern Women's Cross Country League race at Bexhill in December, Brown finished 77th in the short course race.

In February Brown, who hails from Bournemouth, had run the race of her life to finish a superb second in the trials at Woolaton Park at Nottingham.

Brown said: "I'm not displeased with my run. The conditions were, if anything, worse than Bexhill and I do tend to run better on firmer ground but it was great experience.

"I did run for Great Britain in the Eikeden Relays and have had a couple of races in English teams. This, however, was my first major championship and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

"The British team did exceptionally well although it was a little frustrating to miss the bronze team medal by just three points."

Next weekend there will be an Open track meeting at Crawley on Saturday but the main event will be the South of England Twelve Stage Road Relay Championship at Milton Keynes where Brighton and Hove, Crawley and Phoenix are hoping to put out strong teams.