EXETER Harrier Katherine Humphreys believes her victory in the penultimate fixture in the Brooks Westward Cross-Country League at Bovey Tracey confirms her return to form.

The win lifts her to second overall in the series with just one fixture remaining and trailing overall leader Ami Yetton, the Devon champion, by just two points.

Yetton finished third in Sunday's race with Lucy Kelvey runner-up.

But more than that, Sunday's win — just seven days after her triumph in the Fulfords Five in Exmouth — is further evidence that Humphreys is looking for a strong finish to the winter season.

"I'm definitely running back into form again after a blip in training and racing in January," said Humphreys.

"I got a bit of confidence from my run in the Southerns (39th) and then I was very pleased with my win in the Fulfords Five as I was quicker than last year.

"On Sunday it was nice to beat Ami, who beat me at the county championships, especially as I don't particularly like the Bovey Tracey course.

"I have entered the National Championships in Leeds but I'm not sure whether I'll be running otherwise the Inter Counties is coming up and I'm looking forward to that."

Harriers teenager Beth Camp continued her fine form this winter to finish seventh and first under-17 athlete, while Tiverton Harriers' Caroline Hewitt and Karen Cook of South West Road Runners won the veterans' over-45s and 50s prizes.

Kevin Toher's win hasn't affected the overall men's standings as the Newquay & Par runner, who finished in the top 10 at the Southerns last month, hasn't run enough of the races.

Instead the improving junior Elliot Buckner, who is having a great winter, has cemented his hold on the top prize with his second place at Bovey Tracey.

He now leads Exeter Harriers' Jack Bancroft by 30 points, with Cornwall AC veteran Tony Dunn third.

Bancroft finished ninth in Sunday's race and with support from Oliver Berry, Dave Wilkinson, Stuart Wonnacott and Adam Stobbs, the Harriers finished second team behind Cornwall AC.