Tough start for Stratford AC in cross country curtain-raiser

STRATFORD AC’s ladies endured a tough start to their winter cross country season in last weekend’s traditional curtain-raiser at Newbold Comyn.

For the first time, the ladies’ competition has been split into two divisions and Stratford have been placed in a very strong first division, where avoiding relegation will be their priority target.

In ideal running conditions, Stratford were led home by the ever-dependable Rachel Pearce (57th, 28.13), followed by team captain Sarah Bland (68th, 29.05), who is showing increasing signs of a return to form.

Joining the club on the eve of the season specifically to compete in cross country, Seanin Gilmour (73rd, 29.17) showed what an asset she will be as she moved steadily through the field and Hannah Osbourne (82nd, 29.51) completed the A team scorers.

Ceri Shepherd (90th, 30.29) and Tina Clemmenson (102nd, 31.34) were followed by two juniors, Seren Mahon (105th, 31.57) and Harriet Flynn (117th, 33.30) debuting for the senior team.

Rebecca Pridham (123rd, 34.13) improved on last year’s time by more than three minutes, while next was Jo Young (132nd, 35.53).

Emma Vickers (147th, 40.28) would have had ambitions of a much higher placing, but an injury during the race saw her courageously hobble the last mile to the finish.

Another newcomer, Phillipa Abrams (151th, 42.45), enjoyed her day in the mud and Nicola Reynolds (153rd, 43.36) was pleased to get round safely after a period of illness that has limited her running recently.

The ladies finished 12th on the day, but there was better news in the separate Masters competition where Pearce, Bland, Gilmour and Shepherd combined to claim seventh.

New men’s cross country captain Kieran Tursner was sidelined with injury, but he was there to lead his team and he will have been impressed with what he saw with the A team total of 311 putting the team in eighth place on the day and on track for their targeted top-ten finish for the season.

Equally impressive were the B team, who also finished eighth.

Leading the team home — and taking up seamlessly from where he left off last year — was Rich Shepherd in an excellent 11th in 38.18.

Behind were a couple of brilliant inter club rivalries pitching the stalwarts against the new seniors and the former came out on top.

Still not fully recovered from his knee injury and concerned about his fitness, Tim Hutchinson (42nd, 41.22) matched his performance of 12 months ago, and he just got

the better of Fergus Allison (43rd, 41.23), while Josh Newman (68th, 42.28) likewise just pipped Oscar Barbour (69th, 42.29). Nevertheless, both Allison and Barbour had excellent runs and this will have been a great learning curve that augurs well for future races. Completing the scoring six was stalwart Rob Minton (78th, 42.45).

Stratford’s B team were led home by Tim Tandy (140th, 45.38).

Behind him, and easing himself into the race following his New York Marathon exploits was Malcolm Bowyer, who was pleased with his 145th place (45.45) whilst Graham Taylor was disappointed with his 157th (46.18), but motivated to improve over the season.

Next was Antony Howell (167th, 46.56) whilst David Parkin (172nd, 47.21) ran a well paced race that saw him moving through the field throughout the race.

Matt Lyness (197th, 49.28) just held off Ivan Sarti (198th, 49.41) to take the final scoring position in the B team.

Sarti was late arriving for the race and gave the whole field more than three minutes start.

Dave Wolstencroft (242nd, 53.27) and James Fidoe (243rd, 53.31) had a great battle throughout, whilst David Jones (247th, 54.22), newcomer Stuart Griffiths (251st, 54.38) and Mike Barrie (252nd, 54.42) were all close enough to initiate a new team rivalry to see them through the winter.