Essex XC League, 27 Nov 04, Basildon

The largest senior women's team to turn out this winter put up an excellent performance on the testing hills of Basildon to achieve an impressive team score of 33 points to win the team event. Lauren Deadman showed she is well on the way to regaining the ground lost through her prolonged injury to lead the team with an excellent second place and was ably supported by her team mates. The continually improving Nikkii Barnett achieved a fine result in 7th place, while 11th place from new member Denise Harris and 13th from Emma Wallace on her return to club colours in 13^th place set up a fine points tally. The ever present stalwarts of the team added their support with Lesley Felton 22^nd, Linda Smith 43^rd, Julie Gildea - also returning from injury - in 48^th, followed closely by Ellie Mole 49^th and Ruth O’Sullivan 50^th.

Daniel Shanney narrowly led the u13 boys' team home in 9th place, closely followed by brother Thomas in 11th, with Simon Brown running an improved race in 14th. The team was closed by Luke Jones in 19th, helping the team to a solid 3rd. Back up was provided by Jack Warden (24th), Lenny Bush (30th), Chris Sullivan (31st) & Steve Payne (34th).

Another excellent turn out in the u15 boys with Havering packing in 6 boys in the top 12, led home by a strong Matt Watkins in 3rd, with Matt Bloy close behind for 5th. Steve Maclachlan ran his best race of the winter for a close up 6th, with Grant Twist closing the team in 10th place for an big team victory. Chris Maclachlan was running strongly to finish 11th, with Daniel Winters also running his best race of the winter in 12th. Further support in this strong age group was provided by Joe Webster in 19th, Danny Walker 28th, Michael Donavan 33rd, Jack Hiron 36th, Adam Hazelden 39th and Shane Sullivan in 42nd.

Although the club only had two u17 men runners, one of them Ashley Reece produced his best run of the winter to storm home an impressive winner in 24.32. David Nefs as usual provided excellent support finishing 15th in 27.18.

The u13 girls finished in 3rd place with good runs from both Sidnie Sales and Eleanor Bounds. Emma Fox and Chloe Jackson both finished strongly to make up the scoring runners

Once again there was another team victory from the u15 girls thanks to fine runs from Hayley Thomas who finished in 5th place and Jade Edwards who had a very good run and was placed 7th, while Georgie Sales and Ingrid Deane made up the scoring quartet. Clare Robinson, Rachael Newman and Rachael Kerr also finished in good positions but unfortunately Michaela Roberts failed to finish.

With all competing clubs struggling to field full teams of four the Havering Mayesbrook complete quartet took the first position overall in the u17 women. Robyn Matson's fourth place was her highest this winter, with Vicky Smith just two places back in sixth and Lauren Clarke just behind her in seventh. Jenny Szantai's vital 15th place secured the team prize.

With one more round of the league to go, Havering Mayesbrook squads are again well placed to feature on the end of season honours board. The under 15 boys and u15 girls are both in pole position and look good for team gold, the u17/20 ladies and u13 girls are placed second, and the u13 boys lie in third.