Nopesport

Elite Test, SHI and Scot vs LTU.

Barr Wood, on the outskirts of Stirling was a trifle easier than the Trossachs, and courses were short to compensate for the previous days pain.

Lithuania took top honours in both classes to secure a 10 minute lead into the Vilnius leg of this years Sco/Ltu match. Second on the mens was the Scotland team of Scott Fraser, Ewan McCarthy and Murray Strain. Scott gave Ewan a 2-metre lead into second leg which he extended to 15 seconds for Murray. However Marius Mazulis, 2nd the previous day, showed his strength again and left Rocky behind in a felled area. Murray held strong for second ahead of LTU2. The first pack of runners was led in by Mark Nixon of England 1 who chased down Andy Kitchen of Scotland 2 and Graham Gristwood who ran for an 'England Allstars' team: comprised of English runners not selected for the SHIs. They narrowly missed their target of beating all the English teams!

The girls relay also went Ltu - Sco - Ltu, the Scottish team being comprised of Fiona Berrow, Claire Ward and Gillian Godfree. Fourth and second Home Nation was Wales, closely followed by Ireland then Scotland 2 and finally England 1&2 and Wales.

As mentioned, the Lithuania victories increased their lead to 10 minutes. But the Scotland team for the away leg is stronger than ever and will be hungry for revenge.

In the Home Internationals Victories in both relays and strong second team performances gave Scotland the Overall title for the first time since 1988. Gross was quick to point out the close proximity to Bannockburn, where in 1314 William Wallace defeated the English. Ewan McCarthy summed it up best: 'We keep the home record intact at "Fortress Bannockburn"! Scotland 3 England 0'

Wales pulled back their deficit to draw with Ireland in the Shield competition.