|
Surrey Ladies League Cross Country, Match 4 Report – 10th February 2018 The final league match of the season, which also incorporated our club championships for 2017/8, took our athletes to a familiar venue at Richmond Park – though a new 5.18 mile course awaited. Once again separate Division 1 and 2 races were timetabled, with the running order being reversed to give the Division 2 athletes the earlier 11am start. This was something to be grateful for, as whilst conditions were cold and very breezy, we did avoid the wet weather that was to follow! Unfortunately the team had a couple of late withdrawals due to injury but was elsewhere bolstered by the return of former squad members, perhaps attracted by the additional chance to challenge for silverware. So it was pleasing to see a strong and determined team of 8 line up for the final race of the season. K&P ladies made a strong start to the race with several blue, black and white vests showing early towards the front of the field. Unfortunately in the fast start Nicki Murphy suffered a fall but she bravely continued with the race. Rachel Brookes and Rebecca Keddie both had a competitive race, with Rachel leading the team home in 53rd place in a time of 39:20 - in doing so also winning the Veterans club championships. Rebecca - despite feeling unwell during the race , which may have caused her to slip a few places - completed an excellent first season as an U20 to finish in 67th place (40:20) which also won her the 2017/8 U20 club championship. The team scoring continued with veterans Debbie Raymond (41:00) and Nicky Atkins (41:10) having a close battle to the finish for 78th and 83rd places respectively. Chasing hard behind them, Liz Richardson completed the scoring team in 104th place (42:25). Nicki Murphy, despite her early fall, was next home in 43:28 (121st place), followed by Surrey league senior debutant Harriet Lester who completed the race in 46:50 for 162nd place to win the Senior club championship title. Caroline Jeffcote was pleased to complete the team finish with her best race of the season in 220th place in 56:18. In a Division 2 field of 234 athletes, it was a good performance for the team to finish in 9th place on the day, which confirms a mid-table league finish for K&P. The team has shown some promising results this season and with a season of consistent and committed cross country racing could challenge for promotion to Division 1 next season! Congratulations again to our 2017/8 Club Champions: U20 – Rebecca Keddie Seniors – Harriet Lester Veterans – Rachel Brookes The junior races followed with a small team from K&P competing. Alix Baccardax (U15) again ran well in the combined U15/17 race to finish with a time of 21:35 for 42nd place overall (28th U15). Whilst in the U13 race, Evie Priest and Milla Maritz raced well to finish in 29th (13:46) and 50th (15:28) places respectively. New members to the team for this fun and friendly league next season would be very welcome and in particular we would like to see more junior club members competing - anyone interested in competing next season should please contact Liz Richardson for more information. Additionally if there are any parents/coaches that would be interested in helping out with the junior athletes on race days next season, the club would be pleased to hear from you.
Liz Richardson |
