London Heathrow Games – Parliament Hill Fields, Hampstead - Saturday 22 November 2003

In atrocious weather conditions, Havering’s young athletes performed magnificently in the London Heathrow Youth Games cross-country event at Parliament Hill Fields on Saturday.

At the end of an afternoon during which it never stopped pouring with rain, the girls’ team won the overall title against 33 other Boroughs whilst the boys’ finished runners-up. The success owed much to the fact that many Havering Mayesbrook Athletic Club members were available to participate.

In the girls’ 11/12 age group, Annie Dunn (a member of Chelmsford AC and Coopers’ schoolgirl) ran a great race to take the individual silver medal with Danielle Raymond (also Coopers) in 8^th position. Francesca Clark and Louisa Wood made up the four-to-score that took the team silver medal whilst Hannah Denis and Ciara Gillespie both ran well on their debuts for the Borough.

The boys’ 11/12 age group quartet of Matthew Bloy (individual silver), Stephen McLachlan (5^th), Grant Twist (6^th) and Joe Webster (15^th) took the team gold medal in super style. They were backed-up by Jamie Harrington (16^th), Daniel Winters (19^th), Simon Brown (27^th), Ben Warden (38^th), and James Stewart (52^nd).

The girls’ 13/14 age group squad was far too strong for the opposition taking the team gold medal in fine style. Katie Richardson was totally dominant to take the individual gold medal with Lauren Clark taking the bronze. Clare Robinson also achieved a top six placing to take a medal with Jade Edwards completing the scoring quartet in 14^th place. Other fine runs came from Hayley Thomas, Alex Watkins, Georgina Clark, Rachel Newman, Lauren Newton and Charlotte Humpherys.

The boys’ 13/14 age group race saw Matthew Watkins take a medal for 4^th place ably supported by Paul Adair, Bradley Tungatt and Liam Gildea.

In the oldest age group for girls (15/16), Havering were again fully in control with Sarah Luck (now able to compete for Havering due to school eligibility with Campion) easily winning the gold medal. Alison Brown ran a terrific race to take individual 4^th place and there were also top six medals for Helen Roche and Vicky Smith. The remainder of the squad - Charlotte Wood, Caroline Smith, Laura Moore and Jennifer Szantai – also finished close on the heels of the leaders.

The older boys found the going tough but packed extremely well to gain valuable points. Andrew Meech ran strongly for a top-20 placing followed closely by Aaron Churchouse. Then came Paul Andrews, Michael Parperis and Christian Newton.

Having won the cricket competition some time ago, Saturday’s cross-country results sets Havering up nicely in the quest for overall London Heathrow Youth Games success next summer.