Southern Schools Inter Counties Cross Country Basildon, Saturday 5 February 2005

There were impressive victories for Matt Bloy and Katie Richardson in Essex Colours in the Southern Schools Inter Counties event at Basildon on Saturday.

Essex Schools’ Junior Boys’ champion Matt Bloy set the early pace but with a mile to go had slipped from pole position. But he attacked heading for the steep hill on Basildon’s tough course and kicked for home to eventually win comfortably with a confident performance that suggests a high finish in next month’s English Schools event at Norwich.

County runner up Steve MacLachlan produced his customary late finishing effort to win third place and there were good performances from Grant Twist and Joe Webster.

In the Intermediate Girl’s event Katie Richardson – who has also taken the Essex Schools title two weeks before – was always prominently placed.  But she too had to come from behind late on to win the title with a performance that suggests she is on the way back after her pre-Christmas injury.  There were good supporting efforts from club colleagues Hayley Thomas, Clare Robinson and Rachel Newman.

Megan Foley’s return to fitness continued as she placed fourth in the senior girls' event. Robyn Matson and Vicky Smith were also in action, but Sara Luck failed to finish.

With Matthew Watkins, Ross Clarke and Ashley Reece all missing from the Intermediate Boys’ race it was left to Bradley Tungatt to fly the club flag, and Ingrid Deane’s 18^th place in the Junior girls’ race was also the only club performance in that age group on the day.

HMAC Members' results

Junior Girls:

18th - Ingrid Deane

Intermediate Girls:

1st - Katie Richardson; 21st - Hayley Thomas; 22nd - Clare Robinson;33rd - Rachael Newman

Senior Girls:  

4th - Megan Foley; 9th - Robyn Matson; 26th – Vicky Smith

Junior Boys:

1st –  Matt Bloy; 3rd - Steve MacLachlan; 13th - Grant Twist; 21st - Joe Webster

Intermediate Boys:

??th - Brad Tungatt