Wells and Yeovil team at the 2^nd Gwent XC fixture at Bath University Nov 11^th 2007

At the second of the seasons Gwent XC League matches held on Sunday at Bath University, 50 of the combined Wells and Yeovil team of all ages toed the start line. Conditions were mainly dry with the new Harrier tent in use for the first time this season. In the Minors races over 1.9km for u11s that started the day there were good performances by Abigail and Amy Gibbons, Lydia Guest and James Bridge, with Abi in particular excelling with her 6^th place. Well done to Lydia and Amy both making their debuts here. The u13 boys race over 2.8km then saw 5 athletes running, with Oliver Fox and Tristan Goldsmid running together for much of the race before Oliver pulled away to finish in 8^th, with Tristan just behind in 9^th. There was then some solid packing by Matthew Cole, 18^th, James Todd, 25^th, and Philip Bridge, 29^th, to ensure a high team finish.

In the u13 girls race, 8 team members competed, and were led home by Vera Assis, 5^th, Kayley Kennedy 7^th, and Lauren Willows, 8^th. Emily Smith then finished in 13^th to close for the A team and we await confirmation as to whether that was enough for first team on the day. The B team also competed well with Amy Cohen, 36^th, Amber Cole, 37^th, Elisabet Assis, 43^rd, and Josephine Douglas 49^th . This was a very good turn out for the u13 girls, and even so there was another 2 or 3 left behind who couldnt make this fixture. It was particularly good to see newcomers Amy, Amber and Josephine having a go.

In the u15 boys race over 3.9km , Tom Thick showed his racing experience by easing through to take 8^th place in a strong field, with George Harris, 13^th, Cameron Rafferty, 22^nd, Reuben Whitcombe 33^rd and Louis Curtis, 34^th . The u15 girls race provided good competition also for Jess Wood, 17^th here, and Lizzie Hart, 20^th. In the u17 mens race, combined with the u20s, we await to see what the separated out results will bring but we know that u17s Alex Wiltshire was 15^th and Ben Venus, 20^th, in the overall race, with u20 Tom Lock 30^th in the same race over 5.9km.

The senior womens race, also over 5.9km, saw a huge field of 149 starters. Jenny Moore again led the Harrier contingent of 6 runners with 9^th place, 1^st F40, with Karen Buckley not far behind in 14^th and Ann Taswell next home in 33^rd. Angela Thomas was 1^st F60 in 96^th place and used the race as a warm up for her appearance in the Welsh colours this coming Saturday at Belfast in the Home International match. Cath Goldsmid, 103^rd and Kaye Watts, 114^th, also ran well for the team. Well done Kaye on your return to XC.

The biggest field of the day was as usual in the mens race where 316 started, including 15 Harriers. The race over 4 laps covering 10.3km was a fast and furious affair. Pete Grist made a welcome appearance finishing in an outstanding 15^th place, with Steve Masters, 57^th, Andrew Deamer 67^th, Jack Bancroft, 100^th, and Les Lock, 102^nd, counting for the A team. Matt Lewis, 108^th, Dickie Wythe, 116^th, Dave Stanfield, 144^th, Graham Goldsmid, 146^th , and Rod Appleby, 149^th made up the B team, and the C team was led home by Stuart Marsh, 187^th, Geoff Cole, 216^th, Paul Chadwick, 217^th, Nick Edwards, 251^st and Martin Collins, 290^th. Final team positions and times are yet to be confirmed. Dave, Graham and Rod had a tussle all race with Dave finally getting the better of Graham in the home straight. Another fast finisher was Geoff who ensured he pipped Paul 100m from the line.

Many thanks to parents, coaches and team managers for a good day out. See the Rogues gallery for all the photos taken by the many photographers out that day.

Meanwhile, the day before, Saturday, Frank Tickner and his brother Ben, Andrew Hennessy and coach Clive Thomas all made their way to Gateshead for the first in the seasons international XC matches. The runners faced a challenging course alongside the Gateshead Stadium on the banks of the River Tyne, with testing hills and fast sections and with plenty of viewing space for spectators. The races provided a competitive warm up for the European Cross Country Trials to be held in Liverpool in two week time. Franks time for the 6 laps, over 8.7km, was 27.39 just 7 seconds behind the winner Jean Ndayisga and 2 seconds behind Tom Humphries. Frank closed down the leaders on the last lap but couldnt quite catch them before the closing line. Ben also achieved a top ten finish with his 9^th place, 28.22 clocking, with Andy Hennessy completing the trio with 28^th place in 29.48.

Good luck to Les Lock and Angela Thomas as they compete for England and Wales, respectively, at the international cross-country at Stormont Castle, Belfast this coming weekend.