Hat-trick of wins for Alex as Stratford AC shine at Perry Park

STRATFORD AC’s juniors produced a superb collective effort to score their highest points total this season in the latest West Midland Young Athletes Cross Country League meeting at Perry Park.

The team finished third on the day and remain in third overall, extending their lead to 1,142 points over fourth-placed Royal Sutton Coldfield AC.

For the second successive fixture the team featured two individual winners on the day, with a plethora of other improved performances.

There were five athletes, each thoroughly enjoying themselves, that made their debut for the club in the under-11 age group.

Tulah Searle (29th, 7.08) Niamh Hillard (49th, 7.31) and Lucy Thomas (80th, 7.54) all equipped themselves well with brilliant performances in the under-11 girls’ race, and likewise Hugh Markham (56th, 6.56) and Theo Skirvin (69th, 7.04) ran delightfully in the boys’ event, each one putting down good markers to improve upon in the future.

Alex Adams (1st, 5.49) made it three wins out of three as he led the under-11 boys’ team home in fine style.

Adams made a composed start, not going out too quickly, and this held him in good stead as he entered a compelling battle round the lake, eventually shaking off the Rugby and Northampton AC athlete in the final uphill climb to the finish.

Spencer Corder (6th, 6.11) made a welcome return to cross country and should be delighted with his highest ever finish in a league race.

Adam Taylor (16th, 6.25), Flynn Dathan (67th, 7.03), James Day (70th, 7.05) and Alex McMillan (93rd, 7.27) completed the team with solid, consistent performances.

The under-11 boys’ team finished third on the day and remain fourth overall.

The under-11 girls’ team was led home by Leah Bowen (8th, 6.46) who paced herself well, spurred on by her fabulous debut in the last race, showing her strength to claim a top-ten finish.

Only a couple of seconds behind Leah was Molly Bullock (9th, 6.48), who has now made it three top ten finishes in a row, and following equally behind was Maisie-Joy Spriggs (11th, 6.50).

Maisie-Joy decided to test her endurance by starting fast and held on to her best finish this season.

Holly Newton (26th, 7.06), Maddie Linfoot (28th, 7.07) appeared to enjoy their run and continue to make good progress. Maria Watkins (43rd, 7.24), Annabela Williams (50th, 7.31), a welcome return to the team following a recent illness, Olivia Clayton (69th, 7.45) and Ruby Edwards (76th, 7.50) completed an excellent team performance.

The under-11 girls’ team finished thid on the day and move up to second overall, a mere three points ahead of third place.

There were only four under-13 girls and so points were lost as five are needed to complete a team.

Ellen Talyor (14th, 10.21) made effective use of the fast downhill start, placing herself in the leading group after the first small lap, and held on to her best finish this season.

Evie Lowe (57th, 11.26), Ellie Deaner (93rd, 12.16), and Helen West (104th, 12.57) were all slightly off-form due mainly to recent illnesses but nevertheless earned valuable team points.

The under-13 girls’ team finished 13th on the day and are now 12th overall.

Joel Watson (37th, 10.24) patiently made his way through the field as he led the U13 boys’ team home.

Caleb Spriggs (48th, 10.44), who followed a similar strategy to his sister and reaped the same rewards, gaining his highest placed finish of the season was closely followed by Ned Campbell (50th, 10.46), who did his best to catch his team mate in the finishing straight. Matthew Bexson (62nd, 10.58), Christopher Hunt (76th ,11.30) and Harry Gravelsons (81st, 11.50) completed the team with improved performances over the 2.5km course. The under-13 boys’ team finished eighth on the day and slip one place to eighth overall.

Georgie Campbell (1st, 12.28) produced another determined run as she battled for first place all round the 3.2km course.

In a thrilling race, it wasn’t until leaving the lake on the second lap that Campbell had full control and even then had to pull out a strong finish to ensure her second straight win in the season.

Imogen Sheppard (12th, 13.11) was delighted to continue her inspired form, as was Kate Dufty (17th, 13.23) who, fresh from an outstanding performance in the Gloucestershire Schools’ cross country the day before, made impressive progress through the field during the second lap.

Abi Wootton (29th, 13.52) finished ahead of Daisy Musk (45th, 14.20) who continues to make steady progress.

Ellie Bryan (54th, 14.43), Charlotte Gravelsons (67th, 15.02), Olivia Hall (70th, 15.08), Anna Gionis (72nd, 15.13) and Isobel Hopper (92nd, 19.31) completed a stunning team performance, one which the head coach, Paul Hawkins, was extremely happy with.

The under-15 girls’ team finished third overall and remain in third place.

The under-15 boys also ran the two large laps totalling 3.2km. Owain Jones (9th, 11.40) led the team home with another solid run and top ten finish.

An in-form Adam Bayliss (34th, 12.36) was just caught in the long finishing straight by Rhys Mahon (33rd, 12.32) who pulled out an amazing second lap. Dylan Williams (47th, 13.05) and Archie Musk (52nd, 13.20) completed the team counting positions with robust performances.

An improving Henry Tombs (61st, 14.16) finished ahead of a strong finishing Oliver Adams (72nd, 14.56), with resolute running from both Fin Hutchinson (81st, 16.14) and James Bexson (83rd, 18.58) completing the under-15 boys’ team that finished fifth on the day and remain fourth.

The under-17 men race over three laps totalling 4.8km. Ollie Best (24th, 18.24) seemed to enjoy each one more than the last as he powered his way to his highest position this season.

Seb Hopper (29th, 18.38) can be relied upon for consistent cross country running, while Murray Jackson (37th, 19.25) started faster than his team mates and then struggled slightly to maintain the pace.

The under-17 men finished sixth on the day and are now seventh overall. In the U17 women’s race over 4.0km, Jess Sheppard (23rd 18.36) led the team home followed by Edie Hutchinson (37th, 20.16) and Hannah Bexson (42nd, 22.38), all three of whom delighted in their best performances so far this season. The under-17 women’s team finished eigth on the day and remain in eighth overall.

The next fixture is at Abington Park, Northampton, in January where the Stratford AC team will look to continue to build on this delightful performance.