It was a fantastic day at the races at club athletes were in dominating form at Round Three of the Essex Cross Country League held in cold and blustery conditions at Great Notley Country Park on Saturday. They notched up two individual and four team wins, plus other individual and team top three placings.
Steve McLachlan's fourth consecutive league win in the under 15 boys' race confirmed his league title. But it was hard won as he finished just three seconds ahead of West Suffolk's Andrew Ridley while Daniel Winters' third place, just edged out Grant Twist in fourth and Matt Bloy fifth for an unbeatable 13 point tally. Simon Brown made the top 10 but not the HMAC scoring four and there were good runs from twins Daniel & Thomas Shanney (19th & 22nd), Robbie Kidd in 20th and Lenny Swain 30th.
The U13 boys won the team event for the second meeting as the fast improving Michael Jones' superb second place plus Jamie Buckley-Stanton's 5th place, were supported well by Liam Bush (14th) and Jonathan Seekings (16th) who combined well to win the team event.
The u15 girls also won their category. Georgie Sales had another excellent run to finish in third place, and was followed by Ingrid Deane (7th). Jennifer Holland ran superbly for 9th to make the top 10, while Emma Fox's 16th place finish secured the team win.
Katie Richardson led from start to finish to spearhead a combined u17 & U20 women's team victory, winning the race comfortably by 30 seconds. Hayley Stibbs ran well for 3rd, Jade Edwards was a well earned 7th and Hayley Thomas 11th completing the winning team. Charlotte Watkins turned out for her first race this winter in 12th but Vicky Smith withdrew after feeling unwell.
The strong wind and heavy rain during the senior men's event could not dampen the team's spirit as they raced to their highest league result for many years. Trevor Keys on his return from injury took an impressive fifth place with Peter Coates having a great run to finish 12th closely followed by Rob Warner in 14th. Rob Dickenson improved yet again in 26th and was chased home by Ian Anthony in 32nd. Tony Collins completed the scoring team in 40th to give Havering Mayesbrook second place overall. Neill Collins and Chris Coates both in their first cross country of the season took 50th and 76th respectively. Graham Foster led the vets contingent home in 77th. Newcomer Roger Winston was next home in 96th with Martin McVeigh 107th and Kevin White 110th completing the twelve Havering finishers.
The under 13 girls were third in their age group to consolidate their second place in the league standings. Emma McAuliffe ran well for sixth to lead the team home closely followed by Rebecca O'Neill in eighth. Shannon Sullivan (11th) and Sidnie Sales (13th) completed the scoring four as Nicola Peachey, Jessica Seekings and Laura Drew ran well.
Denise Harris produced an excellent run coming in 12th place to lead home the senior women's team. She was soundly supported by Kym Sewell (27th), Lesley Felton (29th) and Ellie Mole (54th) to complete the women's team who placed seventh.
Robert Jones was the only under 17 man in action, running strongly for seventh.
