CLUBNEWS

29^th JANUARY, 2008

A WEEKEND OF CHAMPIONS

In two contrasting areas of the complex sport of athletics Leeds City members came home with titles this weekend. On Saturday on the superlative Roundhay Park course the Harriers’ section further enhanced its reputation, brought home three team titles and had a landmark individual win, while on the boards of Sheffield the younger Track and Field members were responsible for three individual titles and a couple of other medals. It wasn’t a bad weekend to be connected with Leeds City.

26^th January – Northern Cross-Country Championships, Roundhay Park

THE TITLES, MY FRIEND, ARE BLOWING IN THE WIND

It could have been disastrous. The careful planning to stage one of the premier endurance-running events on one of the great courses appeared to be in double danger of cancellation due to some of the foulest weather Leeds has suffered for a while. On Monday there appeared to be the chance that the course would be too waterlogged to use; on Saturday morning the declaration, sheltering and even the catering had to be abandoned because the wind was too strong to erect tents. (Even individual club tents were banned from Soldiers’ Field) and the ‘thunderboxes’ had to be placed along the edge of West Avenue in case they blew over! However, the wind also, in alliance with Roundhay Park’s natural speed of draining, dried out the course, the Parks Department staff not only did the planned work but also produced ‘Plan B’ at a moment’s notice, and the contingents from seventeen Yorkshire clubs (with Leeds City’s the largest) grafted hard all day at putting out and marshalling the course and seemed (according to Mrs. Scribe) to have a good time doing it. Moreover, Leeds City had a superb day of it with individuals in every race and teams in seven of them, and there were titles to applaud.

SENIOR MEN - SIX OF ONE ….

The Senior race was a real cracker at the front and a major step forward in the reputation of Dave Webb. For the third year in succession Salford’s Andi Jones cut out the pace early on, and those with longish memories recalled that in 2006 a cold-riddled Dave had pulled out and in 2007 he’d had a second-lap ‘wobble’ after trying to go with him; on the first lap it looked to be a similar story with Jones about thirty yards up on Dave and Steve Vernon. Behind this Simon Deakin was settled into the chasing bunch of four and looked comfortable; and although there was a gap of about 20 places or so to Adam Grice, he had a posse of Blue and Amber vests in attendance and no other club seemed to have more than three up. The picture clarified somewhat on the second lap, with the first four (young Senior Tom Lancashire was close up) continuing to move away, but Jones beginning to look a bit vulnerable on the second climb of Hill 60; meanwhile Leeds City hopes took a bit of a knock as Martin Hilton (claiming a tight Achilles tendon) and Martin Gostling (looking less than fluent and clearly off colour) both came out. However, Deek was sticking to his task, Adam had swept forward to 13^th, and the chasing trio of the revitalised Chris Birchall and the two legendary Golden Oldies, Martin Roscoe and Darran Bilton, were on the edge of the first twenty.

While The Scribe and his amanuenses were busily putting in the ‘crawler lane’ on Hill 60 the fun started up above them; somewhere on Soldiers’ Field Jones crumbled, Dave seized his chance, and swept down the hill with a solid lead over Vernon. The slippery cross-camber by Waterloo Lake and the two sharp climbs didn’t knock him out of his stride in the least, and at the end he was seven seconds clear to take the first ever individual Senior Northern title one by a Leeds City member. Even Mike Baxter never got this one! The four-hander involving Simon remained close, and his sixth place was only a couple of seconds adrift of fifth, while Adam held his pace and his nerve to move through to 11^th. Darran (19) and Chris (20) had an enthralling battle all the way round the last lap, but were upstaged by a run from Doscoe in 14^th which even by his standards was remarkable. For the sixth consecutive year the trophy returned to Leeds City; and with the strength of the current squad the possibility exists of eclipsing Bingley’s run of seven consecutive wins between 1991 and 1997. (And is anybody betting against Doscoe and Bilto continuing to figure in the medals??)

With the Two Martins missing the B team wasn’t quite as decisive as last year’s, but achieved a solid (theoretical) 7^th place; and while no other club finished twelve runners Leeds City had three full teams and four over. Neither Mike Burrett (33) nor Adam Osborne (38) ran badly, but neither was quite up to their Yorkshire runs (either that or Bilto’s been chasing deer in Dalby Forest!); Aidan Adams in 52^nd ran soundly as ever, and the team as rounded off by quite a close contest between a much livelier-looking Arthur Cooke (97) , a consistent effort from Mark Bryant (91) and the other Club drinker at the fountain of eternal running youth, Martin Farran (95), who in typical fashion moved up about fifty places on the last couple of laps. The C squad was led by a further return to something like by Pete Steel (105) and a typically big-hearted run from Josh Whitehead (120) – and be it noted that both were in front of the fourth club’s sixth man! Andy Cartwright (who picked up the wrong number) ran above expectations to finish 190^th, Steve O’Neill (289) went considerably further than 800 metres, and Luke Atkin (302) and Simon Hill (392) put the third sting in the first half of the field. Just for good measure Rob Gatenby ran well up to form to finish 448^th, and two of the Old and Bold, Alistair (“I didn’t walk up Hill 60 – honest!”) Davy and John Mace, had about 100 or more behind them as they came through in 525^th and 524^th.

UNDER-20 MEN – MISSING BODIES FAIL TO DENT WINNING SQUAD

The peculiarities of the ‘Junior’ age-group’ meant that three athletes who ran as Seniors in the Yorkshire (which works on ‘European’ ages for international selection purposes) were eligible in the Northern – and it was a good job, as both Spike Williams (shin) and Joe Townsend (knees) were spectating. (It also meant that the Northern Junior title was taken by the Yorkshire Senior Champion!)

James Wilkinson, never one to be overawed out of ‘mixing it’ with the leaders, was right up with the Brownlee Brothers early on, but by the end of the shorter first lap was a bit detached from the first three; he stayed that way for the rest of the trip, not seriously challenged for 4^th but not really close enough to challenge for anything higher.

Meanwhile the team contest was close, with Morpeth having three up but a bit of a gap to their fourth, while Leeds City’s thinned ranks seemed a bit off the pace, with three in the early twenties one of whom was Mike Salter (whose cross-country form isn’t always consistent, and could have been expected to struggle on a ‘toughie’ like Roundhay), and James Lavin some distance off that. However Nick Hooker, always on the edge of the first twenty, held on well all the way round for 21^st, and for the second successive Northern ‘Salty’ (23) produced the goods when it counted. What turned the contest, however, by the very narrow margin of three points, was a storming second lap from Oliver Ziff; back in the late 20s the first time up Hill 60, he seemed to find an overdrive on Soldiers’ Field, and with the hills later on suiting his rugged style he turned in his best performance on the country ever and ploughed through to 16^th. James got backing to his stride to finish 33^rd, while James Dean’s 65^th represented another firm step on the improvement road.

UNDER-15 BOYS – PUTTING AN ODD SOCK IN THE OPPOSITION

The parents of some of the Under-15 lads should be warned! It was noted that two members of the team which came home as Northern Champions by a very solid 55 points were both wearing one blue and one yellow sock; some thirty-five years ago a similar sartorial aberration was regularly sported by a certain aged member who nowadays is frequently seen (and how!) in flowery tights! It’s also just possible that the selection of which colour to wear on which foot might seriously affect your performance; while Gordon Benson (blue left, yellow right) wasn’t quite up to his fine Yorkshire run in 34^th place the adoption of the identical colour-scheme appeared to have a galvanising effect on Elliot Todd. Back in the late twenties with Gordon as they toured Soldiers’ Field, he surged through on the downhill into the park and kept surging for the rest of the trip until he wound up 11^th, a matter of twelve seconds down on Michael Wood – which isn’t slouching. It was almost certainly Elliot’s best effort in a major event – and he’s young enough to emulate or better it next year. Mike (7^th) had one of those races which tend to happed at his level of performance from time to time – always within enticing reach of the medal positions but never quite close enough to challenge. The team was rounded off by Alex Hart, who’s had a season of steady improvement rewarded by a couple of unexpected medals; his 51^st (Seniors take note!) placed him ahead of the third counter of both the other medallists. Furthermore the medals would still have come to Leeds if Rob Torch (who was spotted going up Hill 60 like a good ‘un) had had to count in 77^th.

ALMOST THE TOP CLUB THROUGH THE AGES

The Scribe’s famous scoring system for cross-country championships – scoring the first ten teams in all age-groups – reveals a ding-dong battle for supremacy between Leeds City and Liverpool Harriers, with the Merseysiders coming out on top by 50 points to 46, and only Sale (37) and Hallamshire (32) breaking 30. It was a remarkably tight battle in every way; both clubs were the only two to finish teams in the first ten in six of the ten races, both had a B team counting in the scores (Liverpool in the Under-13 Girls), and while Leeds City can claim an edge with three titles, so can Liverpool with five sets of medals.

Outside the title-winners the next best placing came from the Under-14 (sorry, Under-15) Girls, who finished 5^th with some good solid packing. While nobody was up with the leaders, the first three closed in within the space of less than half a minute, and Chloe Harley in 69^th was only twenty second or so further back. Johanna Wilton (30) used her strength to handle the hills well, Emily Robinson (43) seemed to go off with a little more caution and saved the toughest course for her best run of the season, and Caitlin Regan (49) hasn’t had a bad ‘un all year and was consistent again. Becky Whitfield (123) didn’t quite produce what she almost did at Wakefield in December, but ran soundly.

The Senior Women’s sixth place was a heartening effort, led home by one of the runs of the day with Susan Partridge’s 6^th place in a field where, as Phil Townsend pointed out, eight of the first ten were internationals. Susan was never right up there with the leaders but never our of the chasing pack, and finished up with a real scrap up Hill 60 (which she just lost out) with Bingley fell-runner Victoria Wilkinson. Early on Alex Gostling seemed a long way back, but she’s a good ‘surger’ in the Leeds City tradition, and on this occasion her surge came through to 24^th, probably a better run than in the Yorkshire. Celia de Maria (59) still isn’t 100 per cent from her injury, but battled as gamely as ever; while for a long period it looked as if Alison Varley (79) would continue a fine season by getting in the count, only to have it snatched from her, in spite of all Arthur Cockcroft’s encouragement, by a fast-finishing Rachael Woodnutt (74) – who also got Arthur’s encouragement! Alison might take some satisfaction from leading home a B team which finished a theoretical 13^th, with the support of Ruth Wilcox (100) running as well as she has in Club colours, Jennie Guard (107) looking a lot more like the 2007 model, and Fiona Maddocks (129), one of the few people to actually enjoy running up Hill 60. Furthermore, with Veronique Marot (142 in spite of some tentative descending), Sian Davies (184), Sorrell Hoare (190 in only her second race) and the creaking but ever-willing Jenny Harrison (213) there was a C team which had half a dozen clubs behind it.

With Geoff Belcher out of action the Under-17 Lads were at a severe disadvantage, but for the remaining quartet to finish in the first ten was a worthy performance; with Geoff they could have made the first five, but wishful thinking doesn’t get points! Those who have reckoned that Eddie Mason’s form has been somewhat patchy will note that on Saturday in 24^th place in a good field Eddie hit, if not a purple patch, certainly a robust shade of mauve. Both Danny Davies (71) and Mark Lunn (85) ran well to form in the middle of the field, with Lee Allsopp (133) making up the scoring four. The Under-13 Girls, who on form might have been expected to be about last, weren’t; their 19^th place out of 24, definitely their best effort of the year, came about mainly because Grace Coburn (97) had her best race of the season and for the first time Georgia Yearby (117) turned out in a team and made it look a lot more substantial. Both India Wilson (156) and Danielle Whittingham (201) ran to form, though Danielle was another who looked a bit nervous on the Hill 60 descent (with some reason – if it’s wet it’s very treacherous); Holly Wilton (214) also ran up to previous form.

In the other three races the Club didn’t have teams, though they were only one short in the Under-13 Lads, in which Luke Murray, who only took to the country just before Christmas, ran a splendid 28^th in a big field; his support came from Sean Flanagan (134) and George Moore (161), both tackling their first big event. There was only one Club member each in the Under-17 and Under-20 Women’s races, Sophie Waterhouse running a 27^th which she’d have been delighted with last year and was pleased with this and Jodie Gregorczyk (35) producing her usual gritty effort.

NOT CONTENT WITH ONE AREA CHAMPION ….

One name was missing from the Senior team in the Northern, but was busily creating another possibly unique record; has any other club ever had two Senior Area Champions in the same year? James Walsh, who’s had at least two previous Midland Senior titles, went back to his roots (the race was at Leamington Spa) to claim another one. Now, where can we find a Southerner to complete the set???

27^th January – Northern Under-17 & Under-15 Indoor Championships, Sheffield

ANOTHER THREE TITLES AND SOME NEW GROUND BROKEN

There may not have been quite as many medals – six from eleven competitors taking part – for the younger members as there had been for the Seniors the week before, but on this occasion half the six were Gold. Moreover, there was a Club record – and in typical fashion it wasn’t one of the Gold medallists who set it! There were plenty of outstanding performances, several PBs, and one striking breakthrough – in fact, a good time was had by just about all.

It will come as no surprise that one of the Golds went to Tom Mosley, but unlike the comparative ease of obtaining medals when he first burst on to the scene two years ago he had to work for his Under-17 200 victory, as a very good field was assembled. It took a 22.87 heat to get there, and a much quicker 22.56 to beat the Wigan duo of Adam Forrest and Luke Williams and the huge James Armstrong from Southport. Tom also reached the final of the 60 with a 7.22 heat, but in the Final was just ‘dipped’ for third on the line in 7.27. Little brother Jack (not that little nowadays) was near his best in the 200 with 25.15, but didn’t make either final; while the other Under-15 sprinter present, Stephen Coles, set new marks at 60 (8.31) and 200 (26.57) but really seems more comfortable with 400s. Joe Walker, just up into the Under-17s, was only a hundredth of a second shy of his December PB with 7.77, but didn’t get beyond the heats.

Families came into the other two Golds as well. One went to a Gardiner – and Jacob, who seems to be a bit restricted at running and jumping (another niggle?), had no inhibitions about Shot-putting and punctured another barrier by putting one out to 12.47 and winning by a vast distance. The other, and the day’s only Silver, both went to the Marchant household. Amy took the Silver in the High Jump, equalling her indoor Best with 1.65, though she wasn’t that close to the highly-talented Katrina Thompson. Katy’s gold came in the 60m Hurdles, and was a cracker; a 9.10 heat showed her intentions, and in the Final she moved into Francis-Smithson territory by becoming only the second Under-17 to crack nine seconds – just, with 8.99, Both sisters contested the other’s medal event, (Katy 1.50 for 7^th and Amy a PB 9.42 for 7^th in a ‘hot’ Final), and both Long-Jumped, with Amy narrowly missing Bronze with 5.11 and Katy not being far from her PB with 4.76.

The Hurdles saw the Club record as well, as Matt Wagner, who seems to have shot up like a well-nourished aspidistra in the past six months, didn’t just break Jacob Gardiner’s mark of 9.90 – he comprehensively shattered it with 9.32 - and that was only good for a Bronze! Some field. Three places further back the most heartening breakthrough of the day came as Chris Rushton ducked under ten seconds; he’s another that’s put on the inches, but six months ago even his Mum wouldn’t have expected him to be up there with the best in Club history (The Scribe knows, ‘cos she told him!)

If that was a breakthrough, the last Bronze was a revelation. Rachael Speight, who’s always been regarded as a more than useful sprinter but usually played ‘second fiddle’ in League teams, did a very reasonable 8.36 without progressing in her 60m heat; but she’d also been persuaded to give the 300 a go. After watching Grace Simpson (who it’s good to see back in action after missing half last track season with an injury) run a very reasonable 44.42 to be well back in the first heat, she made her debut in the third – and ran 42.58 behind eventual winner Lauren Brennan. This seemed to give her a taste for it, as in the Final she went even quicker – 42.31. Could it be that with quite a few good sprinters around Rachael is giving thought to one of the Club’s most glaring gap areas, the 400? Time will tell – but it’s no bad start.

JUST ONE FOR THE ROAD THIS WEEK

Unsurprisingly there wasn’t much road activity this weekend, but a couple of members did turn out for some high-altitude experience in the Meltham 10k on Sunday. One was Jake Harman, which isn’t too surprising as he’s known not to be fond of the mud; he finished 7^th in 37.22, which isn’t bad on a course which is both high up and naturally hilly. The other, however, was a surprise; self-confessedly conned into it by his girl-friend, STEVE LINSELL made his fist appearance on the road, finishing 159^th in 57.02, which has to be a Club best for a Veteran High-Jumper. Splendid effort, mate – but don’t give up the day job!