Essex Cross Country League, Round 3, Stubbers, 30 October 2004  

After a week of heavy run, underfoot conditions are beginning to resemble traditional Cross Country, but the bright sunshine made the conditions warm for the undulating Stubbers course, as Havering Mayesbrook hosted the third round Essex League fixture. 

Two girls' teams led the way on home territory with team victories.   

The Under 15 girls repeated their second round team success to come out on top.  Ingrid Deane showed a continued improvement in form to come home in fourth followed by Hayley Thomas in sixth, with Clare Robinson hard on Hayley's heels in 7th. Jade Edwards excellent 9th place ensured team victory, while there were fine runs from Charlotte Humphreys in 14th, Michaela Roberts in 16th and Rachel Kerr, 28th. Rachel Newman failed to finish due to illness after a superb first half. 

Also in winning form were the Under 17 Women. Katie Richardson made it another top three finish in third, while Megan Foley opened her winter account with a solid fourth place - both girls now travel to Belgium next weekend as part of the South of England u20 squad which tackles the Lotto Cross Cup race in Ghent on Sunday 7th. Robyn Matson again made the top ten in 9th, while Vicky Smith, despite feeling unwell, bravely completed the course in 20th to ensure the home team's success. 

Despite scoring fewer points than their winning total seven days earlier at One Tree Hill the Under 15 Boys were pipped in the team stakes on countback by Colchester despite excellent performances. Matt Watkins returned to lead the team home with an excellent third place, despite suffering from a heavy cold. He was closely followed in fifth by Grant Twist, who had his best race so far this winter. Daniel Winters also showed improved form with a positive run in 9th while Chris Maclachlan closed the team with 14th. They were well backed up by the improving Danny Walker in 16th, Joe Webster 25th and Jack Hirom, again 35th. 

The under 13 girls again claimed third place overall, despite fielding an inexperienced squad and losing one of their more experienced team members when Georgia Davies pulled out after felling unwell. Emma Fox in only her second race  made a massive improvement to finish ninth with Chloe Jackson 13th. Superb runs from two runners making their club debuts, Elizabeth Conquest in 23rd and Faye Dench, 26th, secured third place. 

The Under 13 Boys were this time out unable to match their excellent second place at One Tree Hill. Daniel Shanney gained revenge over his twin brother Thomas, who had finished ahead last time out, finishing 9th and 14th respectively.  The ever-improving Luke Jones was not far back in 16th while the scoring four was completed by newcomer Liam Bush in 30th. Simon Brown, who was first team man home seven days, suffered a reversal of his good form this week, as he was back in 32nd, while Steve Payne was 45th and Kieran Nelson 49th. The team placed fourth.

Once again the Under 17 Men failed to muster a full squad but at least Ashley Reece was not the sole entrant this week as David Nefs kept him company. Reece showed considerable improvement to finish a strong third behind Southend's impressive Adam hickey, while David Nefs battled through to finish 15th in his first race of the winter. 

The senior men's team had a full complement this time out as Rob Warner again led them home, this time in 15th. There was a good run from Matt Bland returning after injury to finish 23rd while Neill and Tony Collins, who have improved each race this season, impressed in 35th and 38th. Graham Pritchard (49th) and Gary Howard (64th) completed the scorers as the team were 6th. The senior women, who had provided the individual winners in the first two rounds in Debbie Appleton and Faye Fullerton, were unable to repeat the trick this time out. Nikki Barnett's return continued as she placed 13th, while Lesley Felton ran welll for 20th as Ellie Mole and Linda Smith battled it out in 35th and 37th, for team sixth. 

Results