Firstly a huge thank you to all from the club who set up and marshalled for the Kent league match we hosted at Danson Park. It made me personally very proud to be a Bexlyite. Our thanks also to the council for the use of this suburb park. The nature of the course doe’s mean we do need a higher number of Marshall’s than most Cross Country events, but that doesn’t seem to be a problem for us with the large number of volunteers that stepped forward.
Race report – starting in race order
Again, some fine performances, but team wise we never quite get it right. A lot of our runners had real problems getting to the event. Our guest clubs mainly used the A2 but being local our members tended use Crook log which was nightmare and was even closed at one point.
Under 13 Girls, Mariane Bullen was our only entry, but ran very well in her only 2nd cross country to finish 36th (come on Girl’s let’s try and give her more support and get team out).
Under 13 boys, Injuries (Mitchell) School secondment (Okiki) and (Luke Bullen) stuck in the chaos at Crook Leg. Meant we only started with the minimum 3. Harry Jarvis was first home in 17th after just making the race start, well done not the best preparation. Robert (Derek) Lawrence announced well before the race he was going to give 110% and he did with an excellent run in 23rd, Danny Long who joined us this autumn but has struggled with injuries, really showed the team sprit we have and finished high up in 27th. This looks a strong squad when all are available team result of 5th.
Under 15 girls. (A young team here) Harley Wooler again a very strong and determined run in 14th. A little farther back a real battle for places with Olivia Bailey next in 26th followed closely by Victoria Blincoe 28th, Katie Butterworth despite almost going off course close to the finish had a great run in 30th. Eleanor Winch frustrated by a cold still didn’t give up in 31st, & Maria Eremionhale again must get special mention despite being in the sprinters group showed plenty of determination for her 34th place. Team result was 6th. More to come.
Under 15 boys. Here we did have a full team, Joseph O’Hara again a great run with 6th despite little training recently with a bad back. Ben Mathews was quality with his 11th just ahead of Lewis Caiels has seized the step up an age group a very good 12th. Andre Stone much happier in 16th starting to get over his knee problem. Joe Crawford 26th on his cross country debut for the club, not bad then. Luc Legon had the bad luck to fall at the start and was obviously in pain with his shoulder, but he was not going to give in 39th was very high up considering. The team finished 2nd and have also moved up to 2nd overall.
Under 17 Women, Ellen Newark in her first year is stalking the leaders with 7th, well done. Again we had strong runs from Katie Hyde in 16th & Sarah Gates in 17th. Gave us a team finish of 3rd.
Under 17 Men. We had Billy Somogyi, Charlie Winch and Nikki Faulkner all missing. But still a very fine performance from the team with 2nd in the league almost certain. Tom Wright led the boy’s home in 6th, Adam Willis 10th, Lewis Elsey 12th. Nick Armstrong 13th. Lewis Francis 29th, Joe Gunton 36th. A very formidable bunch
Senior Ladies
Clare Reeves & Kristina Nikalauskiene looked a class apart with 6th & 8th respectively and have rightly been asked if they are available for inter counties. With a very large field, possibly the largest to take part in a Kent league match we had to go a little farther back for our third place but on her Cross country debut Rebecca Harris done very well with 71st (maybe she can persuade her dad to race next time). Finishing next was Leander Marks 80th, then Denise Peeney. This was Denise first race at Cross country much to the delight of those she coaches. Anoushka Johnson was in 87th despite an injury. Then Dawn Dobberson 99th, Laura Crane 100th and Geraldine Legon 109th. Well done Girl’s we still have a league standing off 5th.
Our next race is Sparrows Den, Hayes where it’s the senior Ladies turn to take a rest on the 3rd December. Thereafter for those of a more senior age the following week is the Kent vets at Rose Hill School Tunbridge wells, Kevin Winch