Mid Lancs Cross Country League – February 12th 2022

Leigh Sports Village hosted the fifth fixture of the 2021-2022 Mid Lancs Cross Country League and although muddy, the rain managed to hold off for the most part of the day. It was also great to see Olympic 800m Silver Medalist – Keely Hodgkinson – out on the course supporting the athletes as they battled one another throughout the day.

Thanks once again to all of the Officials who are there for the whole day in a voluntary capacity irrespective of the weather conditions.

RESULTS ON THE DAY

SERIES RESULTS WITH ONE FIXTURE LEFT

DIVISIONS RESULTS WITH ONE FIXTURE LEFT

It is nip and tuck in the U13 age category for both Boys and Girls. Sam Aspey ran another excellently judged race to win the U13 Boys race from Southport’s William Delamere gathering a sprint finish over the last 40 metres which saw him take the race in 10.17 – William taking 2nd (10.19). Good runs from the team saw them earn 2nd place on the day behind Chorley with Liam Benninson crossing the line in 10th spot (11.53), Alex Rothwell (14th) in a time of 12.16, George Holman (17th) running 12.19 and Loucas Lancashire in 22nd place with a time of 12.53. Going into the final fixture, Blackburn head the table with the same number of points as Chorley.

Sam Aspey (265) – William Delamere (1892)

Liam Benninson

George Holman (274) – Alex Rothwell (2569)

Loucas Lancashire (276)

Our U13 Girls lay in 2nd place in the team title chase behind Clayton with the final fixture to go at Burnley. Agatha Taylor had another fine run to come home in 4th place (8.09) and leading the team home to 3rd spot on the day behind Blackpool (2nd) and Clayton (1st). Emma Robertshaw crossed the line in 15th place (8.36) as Tamzin Osborne who ran a time of 9.22 finished in 25th position alongside team-mate Lulu Sharp who ran 10.10 in 29th spot. Big shout out to U11 Charlotte Rothwell who was making her debut for the club in the U11 Girls race, having never run in a competitive race previously.

L-R Emma Robertshaw – Lulu Sharp – Agatha Taylor – Tamzin Osborne

Agatha Taylor (283)

Emma Robertshaw (282)

Tamzin Osborne

Lulu Sharp (2450)

Charlotte Rothwell (2567)

Daniel Smith had a great run in the U15 Boys race, having a real battle with Liverpool’s Myles Fraser, the race was only decided some 30m from the finish line as Daniel unleashed a kick to win it in a time of 13.09 from Myles Fraser in 2nd (13.11). Also having really good runs – Ben Stratton in 7th (14.03), Oliver Gill in 8th (14.05) and George Ramsden in 21st (15.45) meant that our first three counters were home in the top 8 places which was enough to give the Harriers the team win (16 points) from Southport in 2nd place (24) and Liverpool PS in 3rd (40). Only two athletes out for the Club in the U15 Girls race won by Kendal’s Sophie Cowin (11.03). Charlotte Robertshaw and Isabella Thompson finished in 9th and 19th places respectively with times of 12.05 and 13.26.

Daniel Smith (313)

Ben Stratton (292) – Oliver Gill (286)

George Ramsden (289)

Charlotte Robertshaw (301)

Isabella Thompson

The Harriers U17 Men and Women’s team were intent on securing Team Series wins in both age groups and that is precisely what they did. Four athletes made up the Women’s team – Abigail Stratton, Isabel Holt, Evie Taylor and Keira Haxton. Abigail and Isabel battled it out for the race win, resulting in Abigail taking first place in 14.06 with Isabel in 2nd (14.12), Evie in 7th running 15.54 and Keira with a time of 16.26 finishing in 10th spot. Taking the team win on the day meant the Series win was also secured.

Abigail Stratton (329)

Isabel Holt (323)

Evie Taylor (2568)

Keira Haxton (322)

Kate Cookson (219)

The U17 men’s race saw David Holman battle it out in the early stages with Clayton’s William Walker which was shaping up to be a good contest until David took a bad fall which cost him the race – William taking it in a time of 18.41 with David 2nd in 19.36. Very good runs and good packing by Dexta Thompson in 3rd (19.57) and Hayden Mercer in 4th (20.12) meant that the Series Team win was ensured with our three counters home in the first four places. Solid runs also from Jack Paget-Fowler in 8th (20.46), Saul Sharp in 9th (21.00) and Codie Dewhurst (21.59) in 12th made it a pretty good day for the lads.

L-R Saul Sharp – David Holman – Dexta Thompson – Hayden Mercer – Codie Dewhurst – Jack Paget-Fowler

David Holman

Dexta Thompson

Hayden Mercer

Jack Paget-Fowler

Saul Sharp

U20 Matt Ramsden found himself among some quality athletes at the front end of the Senior Men’s race including James Douglas, Alasdair Russell and Chris Livesey. The first lap saw Matt stick with Douglas as they drew away from Russell and Livesey. On the 2nd lap, Douglas made the break to set up the win in 35.40 which meant that Russell and Matt were battling it out for 2nd spot which Russell took in a time of 36.18 as Matt finished in 3rd spot in 36.28 and took 1st in the U20 age category. Having never raced over this distance previously in cross country, Matt’s run represented a fine first effort. Continuing with his return from injury, V45 Chris Davies had a strong run to place 18th overall and 2nd V45 in a time of 40.12 with Marc Hartley placing 20th in 40.38. V55 David Almond also took 2nd place in his age category coming home in 48th spot (42.56) followed by Danny Maynard in 83rd (45.27), V55 Chris Balderson (107th) running 47.02, V45 John Cookson (48.34) in 124th position and V45 Allan Hartley (154th) with a time of 51.46. Just two runners in the Senior Women’s Race – won by Preston’s Emma McColm (20.36). U20 Amy Davies came home in 15th position and 6th U20 having a strong run with her time of 23.27 followed by V45 Lindsay Davies in 60th place running 27.33).