2014
A very busy weekend for the club on Saturday as there was a clash between the North Mids and the Lincolnshire schools, which meant the club was stretched. Still, we did extremely well with two excellent performances in particular from Grace Mullins & Alex Hampson. Here’s coach Russ Prosser’s report for both of them.
Report from North Mids League Nottingham and Lincs XC Schools
11/01/2014
A very busy weekend for the club on Saturday as there was a clash between the North Mids and the Lincolnshire schools, which meant the club was stretched. Still, we did extremely well with two excellent performances in particular from Grace Mullins & Alex Hampson. Here’s coach Russ Prosser’s report for both of them.
North Midland league final match at Wollaton Park Nottingham
Although the club was weakened by the clash of races and illness there were some excellent performances, especially from Grace Mullins who had her best race in this final fixture. Moving swiftly up into second place early on in the race she never looked like being caught, finishing strongly in second place, her first u/20 and age group win. Team mate Emma Penniston in her first full season for the club came home in 33rd place, which meant she made it a one two for the club as she was awarded second overall u/20.
The whole ladies team this year has fought hard to defend last year’s title and I believe individually they have performed better than last season. Their efforts were not unrewarded, with Ruth Jones taking second in the seniors. The team also took second, so well done to the team of:Grace, Emma, Ruth, Cat (team Captain) Nicky Morgan & Charlotte Harris.
The men were also having their best season in this league for a long time. Unfortunately Andrew Jakeman was unable to make the trip through illness, so it was left to Michael Moore to lead the team in. He was pushed all the way by Adam Birch with his best run of the season, they closed in 16th & 17th. Sean Beard made a squad decision to race as did Adam Fidgett helping the team close in 5th overall in the league. Michael was awarded second overall vet 40 - well deserved.
All the young age groups suffered from the races clash. In the u/13 boys Ollie Oakley 17th led our three lads home with Jonathon Friend in 25th and Elliot Bellamey 27th. Overall after four races the team still finished second and individually Ollie was 7th.
In the u/15 boys, Ollie Bowling ran really well for his 8th place. Team mate Edwin Flack had a much better performance in 26th. Overall the team were 5th in the league table.
U/13 girls in what was a sprint, because of a shortened course, all poured over the line together. Josephine Fortune led in 20th followed closely by Amber Park 21st and Ellie Piccaver 22nd.
In the u/17 girls it was good to have Emily Brand back from injury to lead the girls home in 9th, Annie Grey 14th, Leigh Ann Rose 16th and just behind was Sarah Chan in 17th. Overall the team were 4th after 4 matches.
In the u/15 girls Imogen Woodard was the club sole representative, improving on her County performance finishing 18th.
In another shortened race Matt Church almost sprinted the whole way in the u/11s race to finished 17th and Tom Friend had just got going when it was over in 44th.
Full results in the North Midland league web site.
Lincs Schools
In the Lincolnshire schools held at Caythorpe College, athletes were competing not only in a championship but also qualifying for the County team ready for the Anglian schools on the 1st of February.
Alex Hampson continued where he left off from last week’s club county championships winning the inter boys in convincing style. In the same race Kurt Smyth was 9th and Austin Herbert 10th - all three have made the county team. In all races the top 12 go forward for selection.
In the senior boys three more lads qualified. James McCrae 4th, Chris Allison 5th and Billy Mugnier 7th.
More qualifiers came in the junior girls race. An excellent race from Emma Gibb saw her take 3rd place with team mates Megan Ellison 9th and Jasmine Allen a fine run in 10th. In the inter girls Georgia Gibb finished very strongly to claim 9th, while in the senior girls Alanna Payne 6th and Amy Gibbons also made the County squad in 6th and 9th.
In the junior boys Bradley Allan was first home for the club in 10th and just missing out was Kielin Spurdens 13th, whi will now hve to wait and see if he gets selected. Finally Hana Ray secured her position finishing 12th in the minor girls.
In all 33 harriers competed on a very tough hilly and muddy course. Full results on the Lincolnshire schools web site.
Russ Prosser
North Midland league final match at Wollaton Park Nottingham
Although the club was weakened by the clash of races and illness there were some excellent performances, especially from Grace Mullins who had her best race in this final fixture. Moving swiftly up into second place early on in the race she never looked like being caught, finishing strongly in second place, her first u/20 and age group win. Team mate Emma Penniston in her first full season for the club came home in 33rd place, which meant she made it a one two for the club as she was awarded second overall u/20.
The whole ladies team this year has fought hard to defend last year’s title and I believe individually they have performed better than last season. Their efforts were not unrewarded, with Ruth Jones taking second in the seniors. The team also took second, so well done to the team of:Grace, Emma, Ruth, Cat (team Captain) Nicky Morgan & Charlotte Harris.
The men were also having their best season in this league for a long time. Unfortunately Andrew Jakeman was unable to make the trip through illness, so it was left to Michael Moore to lead the team in. He was pushed all the way by Adam Birch with his best run of the season, they closed in 16th & 17th. Sean Beard made a squad decision to race as did Adam Fidgett helping the team close in 5th overall in the league. Michael was awarded second overall vet 40 - well deserved.
All the young age groups suffered from the races clash. In the u/13 boys Ollie Oakley 17th led our three lads home with Jonathon Friend in 25th and Elliot Bellamey 27th. Overall after four races the team still finished second and individually Ollie was 7th.
In the u/15 boys, Ollie Bowling ran really well for his 8th place. Team mate Edwin Flack had a much better performance in 26th. Overall the team were 5th in the league table.
U/13 girls in what was a sprint, because of a shortened course, all poured over the line together. Josephine Fortune led in 20th followed closely by Amber Park 21st and Ellie Piccaver 22nd.
In the u/17 girls it was good to have Emily Brand back from injury to lead the girls home in 9th, Annie Grey 14th, Leigh Ann Rose 16th and just behind was Sarah Chan in 17th. Overall the team were 4th after 4 matches.
In the u/15 girls Imogen Woodard was the club sole representative, improving on her County performance finishing 18th.
In another shortened race Matt Church almost sprinted the whole way in the u/11s race to finished 17th and Tom Friend had just got going when it was over in 44th.
Full results in the North Midland league web site.
Lincs Schools
In the Lincolnshire schools held at Caythorpe College, athletes were competing not only in a championship but also qualifying for the County team ready for the Anglian schools on the 1st of February.
Alex Hampson continued where he left off from last week’s club county championships winning the inter boys in convincing style. In the same race Kurt Smyth was 9th and Austin Herbert 10th - all three have made the county team. In all races the top 12 go forward for selection.
In the senior boys three more lads qualified. James McCrae 4th, Chris Allison 5th and Billy Mugnier 7th.
More qualifiers came in the junior girls race. An excellent race from Emma Gibb saw her take 3rd place with team mates Megan Ellison 9th and Jasmine Allen a fine run in 10th. In the inter girls Georgia Gibb finished very strongly to claim 9th, while in the senior girls Alanna Payne 6th and Amy Gibbons also made the County squad in 6th and 9th.
In the junior boys Bradley Allan was first home for the club in 10th and just missing out was Kielin Spurdens 13th, whi will now hve to wait and see if he gets selected. Finally Hana Ray secured her position finishing 12th in the minor girls.
In all 33 harriers competed on a very tough hilly and muddy course. Full results on the Lincolnshire schools web site.
Russ Prosser