An all round team performance, which saw all five HMAC men clock times within 25 seconds of each other, was rewarded by the squad's silver medal.  Graham Pritchard (14m 19 secs) kept the team in touch in fifth on the first leg, and John Barker, running the team's fastest leg in 13m 54 secs, maintained this position. Matt Bland's 14m 11 secs third leg brought the team into third and in sight of a medal and Rob Dickenson clocked 14m 6 secs to gain one place and put the team into the silver spot. Gavin Maley held this position through to the finish, with a 14m 7 secs lap, to bring the men's five-some home in a well earned second place, a minute behind a strong Chelmsford squad.

There was a late scare for the Women's teams medal hopes as the team were without a fourth runner until less than 24 hours before until veteran Ruth O'Sullivan answered the late call-up. Her reward was not only a gold medal for herself but also for her team-mates. Debbie Sullivan blasted the first leg, determined to hand over the biggest possible lead to stand-in O'Sullivan and her superb leg of 14m 59 secs won her individual gold for the fastest leg of the day. Despite being passed by the Colchester runner Ruth hung onto second before a storming third leg of 15m 40 secs by Jo Sullivan reclaimed the lead. Sixteen-year-old Faye Fullerton faced a character test on the last leg as she defended an 8 second lead. But Colchester's experienced Grace Greenhalgh could make no impression on the HMAC junior star who pulled way o increase the lead and secure the team gold medals with a 15m 40 secs effort.

Gavin Maley (left) anchored the men's team to silver