Stephen Rees-Jones won the Sussex Cross Country Championships in Stanmer Park and admitted: "I'm relieved."

The Brighton and Hove runner has been a medallist for the last three years but had never won gold.

He finished 50 metres clear of Andrew Robinson (Horsham), with Joel Kidger (Crawley) a further 60m behind and well clear of Brighton and Hove's Keith Newton in fourth place.

Rees-Jones said: I was determined not to let the title slip away this year, as I did last year at Lancing.

"Ironically I suffered from a stitch on the third lap, just like last year, but fortunately Andy seemed to suffering at the same time so I was able to hold my advantage. It was really difficult and I was surprised that I pulled clear as early as I did as I was not making a special effort, but the others in the group just seemed to slip away. I am really relieved and pleased."

The battle for team honours was an anti-climax because title holders, Phoenix were without four of their winning team from last year.

Brighton and Hove were able to record an easy team victory with 35 points, less than half that scored by Phoenix. Crawley, without their top runner and reigning champion Gavin Thompson, were only three points away in third.

Emma Satterley (Phoenix) went one better than last year and won the women's race.

Reigning champion Caroline Hoyte had a cold and did not defend her title.

Satterly took full advantage to win by 100m from Joanne Hinde (Hastings) and Julia Downes (Brighton and Hove).

Brighton and Hove won the team title from Chichester and Arena 80.

Jack Vail (Brighton and Hove) won the Under-20 championships with the largest victory margin of the afternoon.