DOUBLE British Masters cross country champion Brian Rushworth dropped back into the senior men's ranks to help Sunderland Harriers resume their domination of the region's opening cross country meeting of the season at Farringdon.

The Wearsiders had been beaten only four times in 22 years, losing their relay crown last season to a young Gosforth quartet.

Rushworth, 42, had been expected to lead Sunderland's veteran team - but he was picked instead to anchor the seniors. And the decision paid off as the ten-times North-East cross country champion romped home to beat off a challenge from Morpeth Harriers by 51 seconds.

Sunderland's star runner was captain Mark Hood, who ran the fastest 1.7-mile lap in 8 mins 28 secs to wrest the lead from Gosforth, whose opening runner led in a time of 8 mins 32 secs.

Hood, the former North-East 10K road race champion, made up a 15 seconds deficit to hand over a two second lead to third-leg runner Patrick Martin , who increased the advantage to 33 seconds before handing over to Rushworth, whose 8 mins 36 secs was the third fastest time.

Gosforth, whose team contained only two of the 2004 winners, faded back to third place, 30 seconds behind Morpeth.

Rushworth's absence did not prevent Sunderland from retaining their over-40 title, beating North Shields Polytechnic by over a minute, with Tim Field - a first year veteran - clocking the fastest time of nine mins 15 secs.

Former British Universities 10,000m track champion Alyson Dixon won the 1.7-mile women's race in nine mins 57 secs, beating Morpeth's Delyth James by eight seconds.