Essex Cross Country League, Hockley, 26 October 2002  

Matthew Watkins took the individual honours in the u13 event at the second round of the Essex Cross Country League held at Hockley on Saturday.  But his win only came after the misfortune of team mate Bradley Tungatt who took a wrong turning and went badly off course with just 200m left when in the lead and seemingly coasting to another win to add to his success in the first round.  By the time Bradley realised he’d taken the wrong path it was too late to get back in touch to challenge for the honours and he jogged home in 23rd. In his absence his twin brother Scott Tungatt took the runners-up spot behind Matthew Watkins while newcomer Matthew Read finished a promising 12th, and Bradley’s 23rd place ensured another team success for the u13 boys’ team.

The team prize also went to the under 17 boys, thanks to solid results from the quartet of Andrew Meech, whose improved run brought him home 6th, with Joe Golding one place back in 7th, with Rob Howe (10th) and Daryl Rogers (14th) giving an unbeatable 37 point tally.

In the senior women's race Laurie Cossey went one better than last time to finish an impressive second. With four finishers in the top 13 the team were hopeful of the team prize as veteran Lesley Felton’s 9th place was supported by 12th and 13th placings from Nikki Barnett, returning after a long injury lay off, and Hayley Hawes, having her first outing of the winter.

In the senior men’s event there was an excellent result as the fast improving Trevor Keys, in only his third race after a lay off of over five years, placed fifth, while Graham Pritchard improved to 15th as the team placed fourth.  With the prospect of the absent Gavin Maley, Rob Dickinson and Jason Lendon returned to action, and club 1500m record holder Des English back in the UK, the men’s prospects look better than for some years.

With the leading under 13 and 15 girls resting in preparation for the National Road Relays the next day there was not such a strong showing as in the first round. For the u13s Rebecca Heath did well to place fourth while newcomer Vicky Roper was first u15 home.

Results  

Under 13 Girls:

4th - Rebecca Heath; 12th - Michaela Roberts; 26th - Lauren Newton

Under 15 Girls: (positions not available)

??th Vicky Roper; ??th - Georgina Clark; 38th - Carly Mottram; ??th - Hannah Charman; ??st - Hayley Charman; 

Under 17 Girls/ under 20 women:

8th - Hayley Mottram (u20); 9th – Ria Lyons; 15th - Laura Moore; 17th - Emma Baglin (u20);  18th - Jennifer Szantai; 19th - Carmel Munson; 20th - Faye Powell (u20)  

Senior Women:

2nd - Laurie Cossey; 9th  – Lesley Felton; 12th Nikki Barnett; 13th - Hayley Hawes; (Team ??) 25th - Eleanor Mole; 31st - Ruth O'Sullivan; 36th - Nicola Blake; 37th - Nina Cossey

Under 13 Boys:

1st - Matthew Watkins 12:40; 2nd - Scott Tungatt 12:52; 12th - Matthew Read 13:44; 23rd - Bradley Tungatt 14:07 (Team - 1st); 24th – Joe Webster 14:24; 25th  – Grant Twist 14:25; 30th - Simon Brown 14:50

Under 15 Boys:

13th - Aaron Churchhouse 16:35; 16th - Ross Clarke 16:50; 33rd - Christian Newton

Under 17 Boys:

6th - Andrew Meech 24:21; 7th - Joe Golding 24:38; 10th - Rob Howe 25:17; 14th - Daryl Rogers 26:26;   (Team 1st) 

Senior Men:

5th - Trevor Keys; 15th  – Graham Pritchard; 20th - Rob Warner; 25th - Martin Chester; 34th  – Martin Heys;  46th - Andrew Hunter; (Team 4th) 78th - Mike Munson; 83rd - Kevin White; 92nd - Jon Hart