Croydon Harriers opened their East Surrey League campaign at Lloyd Park on Saturday with a respectable fourth place finish.

The hosts were led home by Ernie Hann who was fifth in 30 minutes and 37 seconds in the near 74-strong field over the five-mile course.

He was backed by up by masters Alan Burn (second M50, 32:35), Neil Aikman (fourth M40, 33:18) and Colin Oxlade (fourth M50, 34:35).

The B team of James Moore (fifth M40, 35:16), Oliver Hosken (42nd, 38:11), Andy Del Nevo (47th, 38:35) and Peter Howes (fifth M60) were 11th out of the 21 teams that closed in.

In the young athletes ranks, 20 young Harriers took part in the two-mile contest. Riddlesdown pupil Omar Harhara led the Croydon challenge in fourth in 11:59.

He was well supported by Dane Lawrence (11th, 12:40), Jake Cork (third U13, 12:42) and Isaac Flanagan (fourth U15, 12:44).

The youngsters would place third in the team race out of the five competing clubs.

In the girls' race, Jessica Moore was the first U15 girl home in 14:01 and was fifth overall.

Megan Driver (second U15G, 14:08) and Saarah Nawaz (third U15G, 14:20) were in close contention.