THE SOUTH of England Cross Country Championships always bring the best out of Kevin Heywood.

Bideford AAC's top endurance runner mixed it with strong competition again, finishing fifth in the senior men's race at Brighton.

It was the fifth year in a row he has been inside the top ten and the two-time bronze medallist was only seconds from the podium again.

Among a field of 745 at Stanmer Park, Heywood was involved in dash for the line at the end of the firm and hilly 15km course.

Ben Tickner, of Wells City Harriers, won in 49mins 11secs with Heywood only 12 seconds behind second-placed Phil Wicks, the Great Britain international, who clocked 49-15.

Dave Cutler, of South Molton Strugglers, finished second in the Hestercombe Humdinger. He clocked 56mins 52secs over the hilly 9.5-mile road race.