Birmingham Cross Country League 2nd Division

Newbold Comyn, Leamington

Saturday 2nd December 2006

Disappointing result despite another good turnout

Above: Phil Carbutt running uphill to the beacon on lap one.

The warm early winter sun attracted over 170 runners from 13 Clubs to Leamington for this second league fixture over 10k (3 laps).

The course was tough, but interesting. The stream, which could be easily jumped on the first lap, seemed by the last lap, to be miles wide as the banks and decent footholds became eroded. And surely, as the race proceeded, some sadist was adding even more height to the already very steep man-made ‘Beacon’ so that third time round it looked like Everest. It was snow on the top wasn’t it?

Left: Dave Kesterton B&R lead runner . Right: Kevin Lanckham third 'A' team scorer.

After ending the first fixture in equal ninth (and only 2 points away from seventh), the ‘A’ team has now slipped to eleventh place. Not many points however separate us from teams above but we need to get just a couple of our quicker runners to race at Coventry in January. The ‘B’ team was last of seven ‘B’ teams on the day and is last overall after the two fixtures but can still boast we are one of only five Clubs that has managed to put out two teams for both events.

Left: Mark Graham 4th scorer in his 1st XC of the season. Right: Paul Collins a welcome return to XC

On a more positive note we had another good turnout of runners (14), a number of whom made their first X/C appearances of the season, with one rejoining the Club after a year’s absence. Certainly there is a lot of welcome interest and support from many Club members to race for the team and this is encouraging for the future.

Some members though are never satisfied and because of the sunny conditions were demanding ice creams and deck chairs in front of the team tent. Three others Dave K, Dave C and Phil C even took the opportunity to chill out inside the tent after first ensuring room service would give them a wake up call. 

Left: Dave Cleverley fighting to score in the 'A' team. Right: Andy Freeman switches to the country from T&F.

Dave Kesterton was the first B & R man home in a good time, in his first race for well over 12 months and race practise must surely see him finish higher in future fixtures. Phil Carbutt marked his first appearance this year also with a good time and was B & R’s second finisher before the ever reliable Kevin Lanckham claimed third spot. Mark Graham, Paul Collins (both first outings this season) and Dave Cleverley (his second) completed the scoring for the ‘A’ team, finishing within 30 seconds of each other.

Left: Len Quartly sprints to complete the ‘B’ team. Right: Phil Laxton alongside Phil Richardson after the race.

For the ‘B’ team, regulars Gavin Moorhead, Phil Anderson, Calvin Scoltock and Phil Richardson finished in that order and all produced their usual sound performances. In another season’s first run, Andy Freeman ran well to be fifth man home which left me to notch the last scoring spot (my first ever for the Club).

Left: Steve James running the last lap. Right: A fluorescent Tony Woodward  cheered us on throughout the race.

Steve James, running in the last scoring place for over two laps, again paid for a quick start and was first overhauled by me at the beginning of lap three and then right on the line by Phil Laxton.

A tube of Smarties is on offer to the first B & R person who can name that runner whose excuse for not turning up was ‘The front door just came off in my hand!!!’ A prize will also be given at season’s end for anyone giving a better excuse.

Thanks to all runners who turned up and to supporters Jane Anderson, John Dineen, Tony Woodward (photographer again), and two girl friends (not Tony’s).  Another good Club afternoon was enjoyed by all.

(Len Quartly)

Click here to go to photo gallery

Click here for full results (pdf)

Individual results

Team results - points (position):