Lynne Clough came between Vanessa Peacock and a remarkable clean sweep of victories on Darwen Hill.

Wigan Phoenix athlete Clough was the winning woman at the Akzo Nobel sponsored David Staff Fell Race on Sunday morning completing the five miler in 39 minutes 29 seconds while Clayton's Peacock had to settle for the runners-up spot and the over 50 veteran prize in 40:46.

Peacock previously had been unbeaten this year in the Darwen Dashers organised races up to the Jubilee Tower, recording wins in the Aggies Staircase, Tockholes Gala and Darwen Gala events.

The Dashers had plenty to celebrate themselves with the success of their own women's team. Led by fourth placed Sue Corsini and aided by Sheila Gudgeon ninth, and debutant Caroline Futios in tenth, they won the team title. Rob Hope from Wheelton was the overall winner, the Pudsey and Bramley club runner enjoyed a comfortable victory by a minute and a half in 33:46 from Clayton Harrier Paul Thompson with Blackburn Harrier Matt Nuttall taking third. Both Thompson and Nuttall had starred in the 18 mile Tour of Pendle a fortnight ago and here they showed their versatility with equally strong performances over a much shorter distance.

East Lancashire runners filled the top five places with the Darwen based Horwich Harrier Graham Schofield taking fourth and Clayton's Ian Greenwood placing fifth. The pair finished only eight seconds apart in the battle for overall veteran honours but they both went home with prizes as Schofield won the over 45s and Greenwood the over 40s with respective times of 35:44 and 35:52.

Their battle was mirrored by their clubs as Horwich grabbed the team prize by two points despite the best efforts of Clayton's Will Sullivan and Mark Theaker who took ninth and tenth to back Thompson's second place. Former Clayton man Lee Passco claimed eighth for Bowland Fell Runners.

Granville Staff presented the prizes, and a donation from the proceeds of the race to the Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) charity will be made in his son's honour. Eighteen year old Darwen Dasher David died of a previously undiagnosed heart condition during a road race in 1994.

Darwen Dashers meet twice a week at Hollins Grove Liberal Club, Blackburn Road, Darwen. The Tuesday session is designed for novices and women while everyone is welcome at their Thursday meetings. Start times on both days is 7pm. The Dashers cater for road, fell and cross country. If you would like to know more contact Jim Taylor on 01254-703840 or look at the website newly revamped by John Schofield on www.darwendashers.com.