THERE was host club success for the second year running at the Erme Valley Relays on Friday night at Ivybridge Rugby Club.

Erme Valley Harriers’ men successfully retained the title they won last year by holding off the challenge of a Newquay & Par under-18 team – Varney’s Army A.

The quartet of Nathan Brown, Graham Reed, Charlie Milward and Ronnie Hayes came home first in an overall time of 53.50 minutes, which was seven seconds quicker than Varney’s Army.

The popular relay event sees teams of four athletes each run two-and-a-half miles. Some 80 teams took part this year.

Third overall and second senior men’s team were Newquay & Par, who had Blake Williams leading them off and setting the fastest time of the evening.

Fourth overall and third senior men’s team were the City of Plymouth quartet of Fraser Holman, Steve Jones, David Goodspeed and Matthew Bradley. Holman clocked the second fastest time behind Williams.

Tamar Trotters’ veteran athletes impressed on the night with them winning the M50, M60 and M70 men’s titles.

City of Plymouth won the women’s event in 62.36 minutes, with host club Erme Valley Harriers taking second in 64.36.

Plymouth’s winning team was made up of Hannah Blair, Isabella May, Molly Shorey and Annabel Arnold, who was the quickest woman overall.

Alison McEwing, Jessica Ashworth, Hannah Cox and Sophie Gilvear featured in the Erme Valley team, who took runners-up.

Third in the women’s event was the Tamar Trotters A quartet of Ayesha Gillespie, Harrier Housam, Bex Ezra-Ham and Lydia Herbert.

Ezra-Ham was second quickest overall behind Arnold, with McEwing third.

City of Plymouth claimed first prize in the female under-18 category with a team made up of Elsie Goodspeed, Jennifer Merrifield, Margot Goodspeed and Phoebe Timson.

Full team results can be found HERE.

Individual times can be found HERE.