Essex Cross Country League, Round 4, Great Notley 29 November 2003  

For the second week in a row the awful weather conditions - cold, wind and rain - turned an already  difficult course into a real challenge which HMAC athletes as usual rose to. It was disappointing to Springfield Striders, hosting their first Essex league event, that many stayed away to make fields in some events thinner than in earlier rounds.

Under 13 Boys After beating his rivals last week at the London Boroughs event, Matt Bloy was determined to get his first victory of the winter and he just held of a strong finishing Steve MacLachlan, who lost his unbeaten record in this League. With Grant Twist & Joe Webster missing it was down to Daniel Winter & Simon Brown to complete the scoring. This they did admirably both achieving their highest places so far with 8th & 12 the place respectively. Good support was given by the ever improving twins Thomas & Daniel Shanney in 20th & 23rd while Steve Payne was 33rd & Matthew Pierce 36th. he team was once again first with 23 points and look odds on to win overall as Steve does in the Individual stakes. Grant Twist & Matt Bloy could be battling over 2nd & 3rd places  

Under 13 Girls  Ingrid Deane came back after her bout of illness and placed eight, while Rebecca Luck (15th) ran well from start to finish and got her strong finish brought her home ahead of team mate Michaela Roberts who was 16th. The ever-improving Georgia Davis completed the scoring four in 19th, while Rachael Kerr completed the course in 25th.  

Under 15 Boys Once again a poor turnout in this age group although the boys who braved the elements achieved good performances. Bradley Tungatt once again led the team home in his highest position of the season narrowly losing third place, with twin brother Scott not far behind in an excellent seventh. Chris MacLachlan ran bravely despite badly bruising his shoulder playing rugby last weekend.

Under 15 Girls In the girls' equivalent race just two from the Havering Mayesbrook club toed the line. Clare Robinson was heading for a top 5 finish before a fall put paid to her chances but she gutsily picked herself up and got back into the race to place seventh. Lauren Newton provided good support in 24th.

Under 17 Men & Women There were contrasting fortunes in the under 17 events. Again a poor turnout in the boys' race with Andrew Meech 10th and the ever consistent Christian Newton in 20th but the girls had a full house to grab a another win in the team stakes. In the girls' race Megan Foley competed in the league for the first time this winter and she looked in good shape after a recent injury layoff.  She ran well from start to finish to place runner up in the combined u17/u20 event, and was first u17 home.  Robyn Matson dug in hard and was rewarded with 12th place (9th u17), while Helen Roche was three places back in 15th (12th u17) after twice falling on the water-logged course. Robyn Delivett's valuable contribution in 18th (14th u17) ensured the team prize went to the Havering Mayesbrook squad who are in pole position to lift the title in this age group.  

Senior Men & Women  The senior men again had a good turn out absence of Trevor Keys, Rob Warner was first man home in 13th place, probably his best ever Essex League performance to date. Also making a good return was junior Martin Heys in 28th place. With Rob Dickenson, Gavin Maley and Graham Pritchard inside the top 30 and Neill Collins 39th the team finished 4th with 161 points. Injuries and illness restricted the women's team just just three competitors who nevertheless produced very good personal performances. Nikki Barnett ran exceptionally well. Starting cautiously after a third of the race she was placed eighth and then used the remainder of the race to overhaul five of the athletes in front of her for an excellent third place, the highest for any of our senior athletes this season.  Eleanor Mole and Linda Smith continued their consistent efforts, in 27th and 30th respectively.

Results  

Under 13 Boys:  

1st - Matt Bloy 10:47; 2nd - Steve MacLachlan 10:50; 8th Daniel Winter 11:13; 12th - Simon Brown 11:23; 20th - Thomas Shanney 11:57; 23rd - Daniel Shanney 12:06; 33rd - Steve Payne 13:18; 36th - Matthew Pierce 13:54 (Team 1st - 23 pts) Standings after four rounds: 1. HMAC 4; 2. Basildon 10;  3. Orion 11

Under 15 Boys:

4th - Bradley Tungatt 17:21; 7th - Scott Tungatt 17:56; 19th - Chris MacLachlan 18:50; (Team 3rd with 30 points) Standings after four rounds: 1. Basildon - 7; 2=. HMAC - 10; 3. Chelmsford - 10

Under 17 Boys:  

10th - Andrew Meech 27:40;  20th - Christian Newton 35:57 Standings after four rounds: 1. Southend - 4; 2=. Basildon - 11; 2=. Chelmsford - 11; 4. HMAC - 18

Senior Men:  

13th - Rob Warner 31:48; 25th - Rob Dickenson 32:49; 26th - Gavin Maley 32:58 ; 28th - Martin Heys 33:10; 30th  – Graham Pritchard 33:19; 39th Neill Collins 34:28; (Team 3rd with 161 points) 76th - Tony Collins 37:44; 90th - Mike Munson (V50) 39:23; 92nd – Gary Howard 39:37 Standings after four rounds: 1. Colchester H - 7; 2. Thurrock - 8; 3. Chelmsford - 16; 4. HMAC - 17. 

Under 13 Girls:  

8th - Ingrid Deane 12.26;  15th - Rebecca Luck 13:00; 16th - Michaela Roberts 13:01; 19th Georgia Davis 13:17; (Team -  3rd - 55 pts) 35th - Rachael Kerr 15:02. Standings after four rounds: 1. Chelmsford 5; 2. Orion - 7; 3. HMAC - 12. 

Under 15 Girls:

7th Clare Robinson: 14:26; 24th - Lauren Newton 16:19 (Team -  6th)  Standings after four rounds: 1. Basildon - 5;  2. HMAC - 11; 3. Chelmsford 12. 

Under 17 Girls/ under 20 women:

2nd (1st U17) - Megan Foley 18:18; 12th (9th U17)- Robyn Matson 20:10; 15th (12th U17) - Helen Roche 20:56; 18th (14th U17) - Robyn Delivett 22:23; (Team: 1st - 45pts) Standings after four rounds: 1=. Basildon - 7; 1=. HMAC - 7; 3. Chelmsford 14. 

Senior Women:

3rd - Nikki Barnett 31:14; 27th - Ellie Mole 37:03; 30th - Linda Smith 37:50.  Standings after four rounds: 1. Colchester & T - 6;  2. Chelmsford  - 12; 3. Colchester  H - 13;  4. HMAC - 19