Marathon champions, ran away to victory in Sunday's annual End to End relay.

But a blunder by third leg runner Jamal Hart almost cost them the triumph and it was left to anchor man Kavin Smith to turn in a blistering last leg which secured the win.

Just nine teams -- less than half predicted by the organising Bermuda Track and Field Association -- registered for the event, which was once one of the most popular on the local race calendar.

School Front Street mile champion Michael Donawa gave the Swan's team a flying start on the shortest leg from St. George's and Watson soon stretched that lead on the second leg, opening up what seemed to be an insurmountable lead.

But then disaster struck when Watson appeared at the third leg changeover only to find team-mate Jamal Hart was nowhere to be found. Watson eventually had to wait seven minutes before Hart turned up and in that time the chasing MAAC Masters had surged ahead with Rod Allen handing over to Harry Patchett.

Patchett maintained the MAAC lead as did fourth leg runner Neil Halliday, a former Front Street mile champion, but Swan's Tracy Wright who took over from Hart, reduced the deficit and it was left to Smith to run down Tony Prentice on the final leg for the victory.

Swan's crossed the Daniels Head finish line in 2:09.54, well outside the record held by MAAC which they had been aiming to smash -- and probably would have done but for the third leg foul-up -- and MAAC Masters followed in 2:13.48.

Third place went to the Swan's Masters team of Derick Ming, Roddy Bassett, Mark Albouy, Larry Richardson and Leon Matthews.

The only female team entered, MAAC Ladies, consisting of Kim Mason, Peggy Couper, Penelope Butterfield, Jane Christie and Sandra Mewett, finished sixth overall in 2:36.03.

There was also only one mixed team, Swan's His and Hers, entered, with Edwina Arorash, Jeanna Jones, Cynthia Thomas, Sherry Wade and Elvin Thomas teaming up to finish eighth in 2:44.13.

CRICKET CRI The four Bermudians who left home two weeks ago to play amateur cricket in England continue to perform at high levels in the Northumberland League.

Batsman Glenn Smith, who is at Benwell Cricket Club with Dean Minors, has had scores of 47 not out and 59 not out in consecutive matches while Minors has stroked 56 and 14.

The Tynedale pair of Clay Smith and Gregg Foggo chipped in with steady performances as well, Smith scoring 44 but unfortunately missing last week's game after falling ill.

CHESS CHS The first round of the Bank of Butterfield Individual Championship produced one shock result as unseeded Kennedy Simmons defeated highly rated Bobby Miller.

Likewise, number two seed Nick Faulks was given a scare by George Ben during a three-and-a-half-hour marathon before the former prevailed.

Other results saw top seed Richard Black overcome the challenge of David Shanks, Aron Kokje defeated Don Burgess, Eric Keen downed Carlton Williams, Brian Stephenson beat Noel Trott and Harry Cast got past Larry Ebbin.

Players wishing to take part in tonight's second round are asked to call Tony Saunders (299-3801) to arrange pairings.

SNOOKER SNO The Bermuda Snooker Association will host their 1995 season prize presentation ceremony on Saturday, May 13, starting at 8 p.m. at Sandys Boat Club.

CORRECTION Grand Prix winner Greg Hopkins yesterday moved to clarify his status as a Bermuda cyclist, rather than a "Bermudian'' as quoted in yesterday's Gazette .