Triumph and Despair at Salisbury - 25 November 2007

Race report from Wessex Cross-Country League Race 2

In near perfect conditions at Old Sarum, Ian Cardy showed ruthless efficiency to claim his second win of the season in the senior men’s race. The men’s race was the only one in which we fielded significant numbers. Daryl Davies is starting to show the form that he is capable of and Steve Snook also made significant progress. There were cross-country debuts from Craig Dixon and Jeff Hinsley. The race results should also have shown Stewart Little as a debutant too. Stewart has had a long injury lay-off and this was to be his comeback race. Stewart was well placed on the second lap when, on a short sharp grassy descent, his Achilles went. Stewart is likely to be out of action for some time – we wish him all the best with his recovery.

After the senior ladies’ success at Langport in race 1 – where our ladies team finished first – Salisbury was a setback. Lynda Faulkner who led the way last time was unwell, so was unable to compete, and Kim Jolliffe was stuck in Cheltenham with car trouble. This meant we only had two runners, we needed three to count. We shall need to make sure we have a full team for all the remaining races as a team needs to register scores in five of the six races and after Salisbury we have used up our one and only ‘life’. Our two ladies both ran well with it being ‘one a piece’ now with Julie just getting the better of Jill this time out.

It was fantastic to see Alex Vaughan-Johncey back in a red shirt once again. Alex has been out with injury all summer and she ran a gutsy and intelligent race. All those lost months of fitness can now be steadily worked on and we look forward to watching Alex’s return to her true form. Big sister, Maddy, had another decent run in the under-17s race, a category she will still be in next year – expect her to get stronger and stronger. Lauren Sutton was running in only her second XC race for WAC and Lauren is also making progress with a more consistent race than last time out on what is a tougher course.

Jack Snook led the way for the under-13 boys and for the first time this season he had Callum Kennedy in support.

RESULTS FROM WESSEX LEAGUE RACE 2 – SALISBURY – 25 NOVEMBER

Seniors – male                                           Seniors - female

1st – Ian Cardy                                            19^th – Julie Mead
19^th – Daryl Davies                                    20^th – Jill Harsent
20th – Graham Whiffen                                    
23rd – Richard Atkins
27th – Craig Dixon
36^th – Jeff Hinsley
41st – Steve Snook
47^th – Ian Kennedy    

Under-17 female                                         Under-15 – female                     Under 13 – female         

15^th – Maddy Vaughan-Johncey                17th – Lauren Sutton                  20^th – Alexandra Vaughan-Johncey

Under-13 male

13^th – Jack Snook
17^th – Callum Kennedy
 

FOR FULL RESULTS AND TIMINGS FOR THE WESSEX LEAGUE RACES VISIT
www.wessexleague.com