GLOUCESTER  X/C  LEAGUE

     Pittville Park, Cheltenham

   Saturday 18th November 2006

A GREAT TURNOUT & GOOD RESULTS

Left: Simon Lanckham our only competitor in the U/17 race. Right: Helen Russell powers up the slope from the stream.

Twenty-three runners and 7 supporters braved the Cheltenham chill to make it a great B&R Club afternoon.

With the supporters at strategic points around the course, there was no place to hide for our runners who all went well in good conditions. And, because we are not wimps, we were all overjoyed with the thought of going through the stream one more time than that allowed at Senneleys.

First off was Howie Harrison (U13 boys) who against stiff opposition produced a good time of 15:49 to finish 37th out of 52.

Next was Simon Lanckham (U17 boys). Despite racing against boys up to 2 years older (Simon has just moved up an age category), his was a very creditable performance in 20:32 to come 14th out of 22 finishers.

Left: Tracey Jones clears the water on her first lap. Right: Dave Stokes through the water ahead of the yellow & black vest of Clevedon AC.

The ladies team of 5 runners, in a field of 95, was well led home by Helen Russell who was just 2 seconds away from a 13th spot in what was a close finish on the line.  Tracey Jones and Kirsten Walton (both in only their 2nd X/C race for the Club) reversed their Blackbridge finishing positions and it will be interesting to see how their personal battle pans out through the season. Jane Anderson, getting back to fitness after an enforced lay off, was involved in another tight finish with a group of competitors and was unlucky not to end 2 or 3 places better, whilst only 20 seconds behind was the strongly finishing Judy Appleby.

The ladies team finished 9th out of 22 Senior Women’s teams and 6th (from 11) in the Women’s Vets teams. This was a good team performance with very little separating them from teams finishing 3 or 4 places higher.

Left: Pete Hawcroft leads Gavin Cotter of University of Gloucester before injury struck. Right: Calvin Scoltock leading Stratford's Paul Johnson.

Sixteen red and blue vests were very prominent on the starting line for the mens’ race which had 197 finishers. Within the first lap though we were down to 15 runners as a frustrated Peter Hawcroft pulled up with a recurring calf injury.

Left: Len Quartly and Steve James in close competition at the stream. Right: Dave Cleverley caps a fine XC return as fifth scorer for the 'A' team.

Undeterred, the usual dependable suspects, Kevin Lanckham, Ian Keyte (running better without the hindrance of the invisible tray of drinks from Senneleys), and Paul Atkins, pressed on and were B&R’s first 3 home in excellent times. Close on their heels was Phil Scarr making a welcome return to X/C. And in 5th spot, was it a bird or was it a plane??? No, it was Dave Cleverley making a rare racing appearance. His vest may have smelled of mothballs but he was immaculately turned out and despite the mud, finished the race well and in the same pristine condition. How does he do it? Completing the ‘A’ team’s sextet in a good time was Gavin Moorhead despite having had to miss recent training sessions.

The ‘A’ team finished in 10th place out of 22 teams, only 9 points away from ending 2 places higher in the Senior Men’s team category.

Left: Gavin Moorhead holds off Bourton’s Steve Humphries by one second. Right: Jimmy Atkin checks his time after his debut for the club.

The ‘B’ team came in 17th place and was brought home by Phil Anderson less than a minute behind Gavin. Phil Richardson and Gordon Marshall (another rare starter) gave good support as did David Stokes, Jimmy Atkin and Calvin Scoltock (all in their first race of any description for the Club). But they nearly didn’t run. Prior to the start, David, Jimmy and Calvin had tried to sneak off to the warmth of the recreation centre but were persuaded to come back with the promise of a substantial financial reward. Sorry lads, I lied!!

The Vets Mens ‘A’ team was 6th in its category and the ‘B’ team 18th.

Left: Gordon Marshall makes a welcome return to XC competition. Right: Ross looking very pleased at being the warmest person in Pitville.

In yet another welcome return to racing after a long lay off with injury, Steve James started like a greyhound and though suffering later for his fast start, hung on to record a good time. Roger and myself were the other two finishers with Roger being goaded round at every opportunity by Mike Mole - you can only imagine the exchange of words.

Incidentally, Phil Richardson's son Tom finished in 69th in a time of 37-24 competing for the University of Gloucester. It was good to see Kenilworth Runners' Tom Dable return to racing after his lengthy spell out with injury.

Thanks to all runners for turning out and thanks also for their valuable support to Mike, Sue, Tony (photographer for the day), Ross (who has promised me that he will run next time), and Dagmar and children. Thanks also to Judy for the homemade cookies.

Len

Next XC race for the men’s team is the Birmingham League fixture at Newbold Comyn at Leamington on Saturday 2nd December. A really big turnout would be great to try and climb the table and to make sure that we don’t slip in to a relegation battle.

Next Gloucester League XC fixture is Saturday 9th December 2006 at ‘Plock Court’ (Oxstalls Indoor Tennis Centre. Tewkesbury Road, Gloucester – off the A38/A40 junction). Start times: 1.00 pm U/11 boys, 1.02 U/11 girls, 1.10 U/13 boys, 1.12 U/13 girls, 1.25 U/15 boys, 1.27 U/15 & U/17 girls, 1.40 U/17 men, 2.05 U/20, Snr. & Vet. Women and 2.30 U/20, Snr. & Vet men. Plock Court is only about 40 - 50 minutes drive from Bromsgrove and as for previous fixtures some cars will be meeting at the Ryland Centre at 12.30 to travel in convoy. Tony Woodward is coordinating for B&R and contact him if you need transport.

Click here for full results from Glos. AAA website (pdf)

Selected Results:

Senior womens race

Sian Lewis (Severn) (1st) 24:27

Helen Russell (16th)    26:49

Tracey Jones (35th)      28:58

Kirsten Walton (42nd) 29:28

Jane Anderson (65th)   31:21

Judy Appleby (69th)     31:42

Senior Womens teams (3 to score)

Severn AC (1st)          7 pts

Tewkesbury AC (6th) 75

Spa Striders (7th)        83

Bitton RR (8th )          88

B & R (9th)              93

Forest of Dean (10th) 96

22 womens teams scored

Womens Vets teams (3 to score)

Cheltenham Harriers (1st) 63 pts

Bourton RR (4th)             131

Forest of Dean (5th)         138

B & R (6th)                  142

Thornbury (7th)                152

11 veteran womens teams scored.

Senior mens race

Tim Dalton (Severn) (1st) 31:13

Kevin Lanckham (39th)    35:44

Ian Keyte (45th)                 36:16

Paul Atkins (63rd)             37:09

Phil Scarr (66th)                37:14

Dave Cleverley (76th)       37:54

Gavin Moorhead (85th)     38:20

Phil Anderson (105th)       39:28

David Stokes (122nd)        40:52

Jimmy Atkins (127th)        41:13

Phil Richardson (133rd)    41:41

Calvin Scoltock (138th)    41:49

Gordon Marshall (146th)   42:41

Len Quartly (155th)           43:45

Steve James (167th)           44:58

Roger Beacham (175th)     46:34

Senior Mens teams (6 to count)

Cheltenham Harriers ‘A’ (1st) 62 pts

Forest of Dean ‘A’ (7th)         331

Bourton RR ‘A’ (8th)             366

Stroud & District ‘A’ (9th)     373

B & R ‘A ‘(10th)                 374

Clevedon ‘B’ (11th)                438

Leamington ‘A’ (16th)            700

B & R ‘B’ (17th)                 771

Spa Striders ‘A’ (18th)            777

22 senior mens teams scored.

Vets Mens teams (4 to count)

Clevedon ‘A’ (1st)            114 pts

Cheltenham H. ‘A’ (6th)   249

B & R ‘A’ (7th)              265

B & R ‘B’ (18th)            582

23 veteran mens teams scored.