News October 2004

Mid Lancs Cross Country

Maria Barrett

Maria Barrett

The cross country season opened with the Mid-Lancashire League at the notoriously difficult Witton Park course in Blackburn. Local club Liverpool Pembroke Sefton have unearthed yet another star in the shape of Eleanor Mitchell who released a storming finish to come home fourth in the Under 11 race. She will surely improve on this. Joseph Hanlon was sixth in the parallel race for Boys.
There were two second team placings at the Under 13 level. Abi Bridgeman(15), Hannah Shirley(17), Gemma Bowen(22) and Vicky Swift were behind Blackpool while Jake Helm(2), Chris Hesketh(4), Mike McCarten(13) and Matt Ward(31) were only narrowly edged out by the Southport club. Kate Hughes(25) and Laura Wanless(35) were short of support in the Under 15 race but Andrew Bowen(4) led home Tom Hanlon(29), Matt Lloyd(35) and Paul Martin(39) and finished 5th. There was a strong contingent of Under 17 men with Chris Melling(10), Joe McKenna(11), David Wilkie(19) capturing third team spot ably supported by Matt Brooks(22) and David Furlong (26).
Rob Stocks first appearance as a Junior was a torrid event as he struggled in sixth spot. The talented Burscough runner will improve on this as the winter wears on. The three senior men who showed up Adam Clansey(17) and Colin Jones(27) with Steve Donegan on Colin`s shoulder all found the conditions underfoot difficult but were pleasantly surprised at their early season form. The next Mid-Lancs test is at Townley Park, Burnley on the 30th of the month.
Report Charles Gains
16 October 2004

Mid Lancs & Liverpool & District  Report
Maria Barrett made a rare appearance in the Mid-Lancs Cross Country League and was untroubled in taking the Junior Women race. The runner up in the World Biathle Championships is clearly in good form and is sharpening up well for the arduous winter season. The younger Liverpool Pembroke Sefton Under 13 Girls team of Emma Bowen(5), Abi Bridgeman(13), Vicky Swift(14) and Hannah Shirley(17) won their team race and are beginning to look like League champions. The value of team packing was also illustrated in the Under 17 Boys race. Chris Melling(8), Sam Glynn(10), Joe McKenna(12), Matt Brooks(17) and support from David Wilkie(18) was sufficient to see them also winners. Elsewhere in the Under 15 contest Andrew Bowen(3), Sam Hutchinson(6), Tom Hanlon(23) and Russell Irving(37) collected third spot. Although teamless at Under 13 Chris Hesketh was impressive in coming home runner-up. Joe Hanlon was alone in the Under 11 race but will be satisfied with 6th place. The senior Men travelled to Huyton for the Liverpool and District League match. The Manx Junior international Keith Gerrard was no match for the local men but Jimmy Boardman ran strongly and was happy with second place. The LPS front runner has been selected to represent the North of England in an international gathering in Belgium in a few weeks time. With Colin Jones(18) and Steve Donegan(23) all eyes were on the remaining counters. Newcomer Ian Crichton delighted in 34th placing but staggeringly two 50 year olds completed the team. Kevin Carroll, a star of 30 years ago, showed that class does not necessarily desert with age in coming home 45th. Even more impressive was Steve Murphy(48) who lost both shoes but continued barefoot and put many youngsters in the shade. Club Secretary, Robbie Wood(59) was not required on this occasion. Third team was satisfactory on the day but will not be enough for an ambitious club like LPS.
31 October 2004

 

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