Essex Cross Country League, Round 5,
Colchester, 8 January 2005
Gale force winds and the occasional hail shower made things difficult in the final round of the Essex Cross Country League, held at Hilly fields, Colchester on Saturday. Strong performances by both girls' and boys' under 15 teams secured the league titles in their category.
There was again an impressive team result from the u15 girls who took victory on the day and in the league thanks to excellent packing from Hayley Thomas, Clare Robinson, Georgie Sales, Ingrid Deane, and Jade Edwards who finished in close sequence between fourth and eighth. Rachael Newman and Rachael Kerr also finished in good positions but Amie Adams failed to finish.
The u15 boys had set the standard all season but had to put in a strong performance to hold off the fast-improving Colchester squad who claimed victory on the day but failed to catch Havering in the league stakes. Havering again packed their scoring four in the top 12, led home by a Matt Bloy's best placing of the season in 3rd, with Steve Maclachlan and brother Chris having excellent runs in 5th and 6th, with Daniel Winters closing in the scoring four in 12th. Good support was provided by Grant Twist (19th), Joe Webster (24th), and Danny Walker (27th).
The u13 boys' team consolidated their third place through the season with another third, which confirmed their league position. Daniel Shanney again led home the team in 8th place, followed by brother Thomas in 12th, with Luke Jones in close order in 14th with his best race yet, and Simon Brown completing the scorers in 14th. Steve Payne's 24th place provided useful back up).
Things were not quite so positive in most other age groups as a combination of illness, injuries and other commitments left teams shorthanded.
Havering Mayesbrook failed to field a complete quartet in the u17 women. Katie Richardson returned from injury with a fine second position, Robyn Matson was 7th and Vicky Smith was 15th. Nevertheless, the team won again as no other club were complete either and also placed second over the season.
The u13 girls also had just three athletes. Sidnie Sales ran a fine race to place third, and was followed by Emma Fox in 16th, and Sophie Hirst's brave debut run in 32nd.
After their winning performance in round 4 it was back to basics for the senior women's team as just two athletes toed the line with Denise Harris running well for 9th and Lesley Felton 25th.
The senior men, although missing some familiar faces, did manage to complete a team - thanks to 400m hurdler Kevin Benton - who ran his first cross country race for five years. Rob Warner's fine season continued with his 8th place, and Graham Pritchard improved to 25th. The Collins brothers, Neill and Tony, placed 32nd and 36th, and Gary Howard's 59th place and Benton's 67th ensured a scoring six.
Results
Under
13 Boys:
8th – Daniel Shanney 11:00; 12th - Thomas
Shanney 11:18; 14th – Luke Jones 11:20;16th - Simon Brown 11:35; (Team
3rd - 50 pts); 24th - Steve Payne 12:24
Team
standings (Final): 1. Chelmsford – 7; 2. Southend – 10; 3.
Havering Mayesbrook 15.
Under
15 Boys:
3rd - Matt Bloy 11:58; 6th - Steve Maclachlan 12.23; 7th - Chris Maclachlan 12:24; 12th - Daniel Winters 12:41; (Team 2nd - 28 points) 19th - Grant Twist 13:04; 24th - Joe Webster 13:21; 27th - Danny Walker 13:33;
Team
standings (Final): 1. Havering Mayesbrook 7; 2. Colchester & T
– 9; 3. Basildon - 20
Under
17 Boys:
No HMAC Competitors
Team
standings (Final): ; 1 Southend 12; 2. Harlow – 13; 3. Orion – 16
Senior Men:
12th - Rob Warner; 25th - Graham Pritchard; 32nd - Neill Collins; 36th - Tony Collins; 59th - Gary Howard (V40); 67th - Kevin Benton (Team ?th - 221 pts)
Team
standings (Final): ; 1. Colchester H – 11; 2. Chelmsford – 12; 3.
Southend – 16.
Under
13 Girls:
3rd Sidnie Sales 11.59; 16th Emma
Fox 12.38; 32nd Sophie Hurst 15.01(Team -
incomplete)
Team
standings (Final): 1. Chelmsford – 8; 2eq.. Orion & Basildon – 14.
Under
15 Girls:
4th Hayley Thomas 16.45; 5th Clare Robinson 16.48; 6th
Georgie Sales 16.58; 7th Ingrid Deane 17.04 (Team
1st - 22 pts)
Team
standings (Final): 1. Havering Mayesbrook – 8; 2. Chelmsford – 11; 3. Basildon – 14.
Under
17 Girls/ under 20 women:
2nd - Katie Richardson; 7th - Robyn Matson;
15th Vicky Smith
(Team - 1st - 37 pts - incomplete)
Team standings (Final): 1. Basildon –
10; 2. Havering Mayesbrook – 11; 2. Chelmsford – 15.
Senior
Women:
9th - Denise Harris; 25th - Lesley Felton;; (Team - incomplete)
Team
standings (Final): 1 Chelmsford – 9; 2. Southend – 13; 3.
Colchester & T – 16