for the first time in four attempts, Sinclair Packwood yesterday won the title for a second year in a row thanks to a fine burst of speed at the end of Front Street.

Packwood, whose time of 27:12 was slower that last year's 26:27, gained the initiative at the end of Front Street and just as he made the turn on to Queen Street -- and he never let up despite a spirited challenge from Clark Tear who finished second.

The 30-year-old winner said that farther back on Front Street, Tear and Earl Godfrey made an attack, but it led to their downfall.

"That's the one mistake Clarkie made. He went to one side of the road and then looked back. But I put the hammer down, went into a big gear and then on to Queen Street in good position,'' said Packwood.

"When I went around the turn on to Church Street I was pretty well suffering from doing too much, but I knew that Clarkie would have to do a lot to get by me so I kept going. When I maintained the lead at the last turn going on to Cedar Avenue then I figured I could hang on to the end.'' Although a lead of 50 metres quickly vanished as Packwood tired, the eventual winner was able to shrug off the last-minute challenge by Tear to win once again -- only just beating Tear into second place for a second year in a row.

Packwood said that the race was a technical one from the start when he took off fast and stayed with the front group, which was mostly headed by Mike Lee.

"There were quite a few attacks along the entire route, but I was able to hang in there, although it was always my intention to save my legs for sprinting,'' said Packwood.

"When we got on Harbour Road the pace continued to be fast, even going through the turns, but I realised that the important thing for me to do was to keep my concentration and not be killed by the surges many were making.'' He felt that riders like Jeff Payne, who was the first veteran and ninth overall, intended to "kill'' the "sprint-style'' runners like himself so it was important for him to concentrate and maintain his composure.

"I didn't go for these tactics by the other riders and it worked at the end.

I won on guts,'' said Packwood.

Damion Wilson was a close third while Darren Dowling was fourth followed by Kevin Topple and novice rider Mervyn Van Putten.

The first female rider was Lynne Devine who was 28th overall while Dora Cumberbatch was second and 36th overall.

SINCLAIR PACKWOOD -- Second straight win.