Essex Cross Country League, Colchester, 30 November 2002
The battle for the Essex Cross Country League will go down to the wire with the title to be settled between Havering Mayesbrook and Chelmsford at the final fixture on 11 January. And with the local club having home advantage at Stubbers there must be high hopes of overall success.
The fourth of five fixtures held at Colchester on Saturday brought another strong showing for Havering Mayesbrook as they recorded three team wins, a second and two thirds to keep the club in the driving seat for the overall league title.
The under 15 girls again dominated the proceedings with another convincing win although Katie Richardson had to settle for second as rival Cathy Conway (Orion) gained revenge for Katie's Heathrow Youth Games victory over her the previous week. Vicky Smith produced her best result of the winter in fourth, while 6th place for Robyn Matson and 10th for Helen Roche made sure of the team prize, with Lauren Clark (11th) outside the scoring four.
The league "jinx" - which has prevented one of the team's strongest three placing highly in each race - again struck in the under13 boys' race as Scott Tungatt suffered breathing problems and after a stop-start effort trailed home well adrift. Up ahead Scott's twin brother Bradley and Matthew Watkins cut out the early pace but were later overhauled and had to settle for 2nd and 4th. But Joe Webster (15th) and Grant Twist (16th) both produced their best efforts so far this winter to ensure a team win.
The under 17 men also won the team competition, pipping Chelmsford by the narrowest of margins, a single point, Andrew Meech (6th), Joe Golding (9th), Rob Howe (12th) and Daryl Rogers (16th) making up the successful quartet.
Michaela Roberts gained her highest placing of the season in fourth in the under 13 race and team runners-up spot was confirmed through 6th place for Amie Adams, 7th for Hayley Thomas, with Ingrid Deane in 16th.
Third place points were gained by the under 15 boys with Ross Clarke improving to 8th, with Aaron Churchhouse in 11th with the team completed by Paul Andrews (14th) and Martyn Chambers in 18th.
The largest squad on show came as 14 club members tackled the senior men's race, with the team's third place showing the best this season. The good placing came as Gavin Maley (14th), Rob Dickenson (18th) and Jason Lendon (22nd) all turned out for the first time this year, while Rob Warner placed well in 28th, with Graham Pritchard (31st) and Martin Heys (32nd) completed the scoring six.
Sara Luck came home third in the combined under 17/under 20 event but there were incomplete teams in both age groups. Nikki Barnett's 9th place in the senior women's race showed she is on the way back after injury, with Hayley Hawes one place back. Nicola Blake, in her first race in club colours for several years, came 25th, with Linda Smith (29th) making up the four to score.
Results
Under 13 Girls:
4th - Michaela Roberts 10:25; 6th - Amie Adams 10:27; 7th - Hayley Thomas 10:29; 16th - Ingrid Deane 10:58 (Team - 2nd); 19th - Rachel Newman 11:03; 21st - Alex Watkins 11:20; 24th Lauren Newton 11:27 (Overall standings: 1. Southend; 2nd HMAC)
Under 15 Girls:
2nd - Katie Richardson 13:29; 4th - Vicky Smith
13:56; 6th - Robyn Matson 14:03, 10th - Helen Roche 14:28;
(Team: 1st Under 17 Girls/ under 20 women: 3rd – Sara Luck 20:22; 15th - Jennifer Szantai
24:36; 16th - Laura Moore 24:37; 18th Emma Baglin (U20) 24:55;
(Team: 2nd Senior Women: 9th - Nikki Barnett 25:59; 12th -
Hayley Hawes 26:28; 25th - Nicola Blake; 29th - Linda Smith; 32nd - Dawn Hawes
(Team: 4th Under 13 Boys: 2nd - Bradley Tungatt 13:04; 4th
- Matthew Watkins 13:15; 15th – Joe Webster 13:54; 16th – Grant Twist
13:56; (Team 1st). 33rd - Simon Brown
14:57; Scott Tungatt 15:42; Craig Moore 17:22
(Overall standings: 1st. HMAC).
Under 15 Boys: 8th- Ross Clarke - 12:28; 11th
Aaron Churchhouse 12:45; 14th - Paul Andrews 12:53; Under 17 Boys: 6th - Andrew Meech 21:50; 8th - Joe Golding
22:26;12th - Rob Howe 22:55; 16th Daryl Rogers 24:05 (Team 1st) (Overall
standings: 1st= HMAC). Senior Men: 14th - Gavin Maley 26:29; 18th – Rob
Dickenson26:49; 22nd - Jason Lendon 27:06; (23rd - Ryan Prout non-score 27:10); 28th - Rob
Warner 27:35;
31st - Graham Pritchard 27:40; 32nd - Martin Heys u20 - 27:42; 34th - Ian
Mulley 27:50; 37th - Martin Chester;
43rd – Neil Collins; 61st - Andrew Hunter; 62nd - Tony Collins; (80th -
Stephen Hunter non score); 91st - Kevin White; (Overall
standings: 4th. HMAC).