53-12 XC Gosfield
Great runs by Holford and Shewbridge
A huge field of 213 men and 100 ladies competed in the latest round of the 53-12 XC League at Gosfield School which is always one of the most popular courses on the circuit, 3 miles of wet and muddy Woodland with 2 miles of playing fields greeted the runners on a mild December day. With a minutes silence held due to the loss earlier in the week of a popular Ipswich Jaffa member the race was under way. Laura Shewbridge had one of her finest runs to finish runner up and lead the Colchester Ladies to victory, Becky Cooke had her best ever Cross Country in 5th spot, beating the experienced Ellie Mayne who was 6th, the team was completed by an in form Annette Oakman 11th. Then came Jo Martin 14th, Rachel Taylor 15th ,Mellissa Dowell 16th, Fay Smalls 84th, and Becky Bjotter 90th.
The men saw a superb performance by Angus Holford who although running in the metropolitan league at Wormwood Scrubs the day previous roared home in 2nd spot to help the Harriers men to a third position finish in a very good quality affair. Allen Smalls amazingly ran from Colchester to Gosfield and then finished 9th overall in the race! The Harriers 8 men scorers then came home with Chris Sellens 22, Mark Harrod 23, Paul Rodgers 29, Keith Marley 36, John Fryer 40, and final scorer Martyn Clarke 47.
Other Harrier men to finish were James Waterson 48, Russell Goodridge 49,Sean Ketteridge 52, David Wright 56, Chris Manby 61, Simon Smith 64, Dan Foster 66, Dan Mark 71, Richard Millward 77, Kevin McAlinden 89, Barry Shaw 116, Arthur Whiston 125, Pat Marsh 134, and Paul Bryan 139.
The combined scores gave Harriers 2nd spot overall behind Ipswich Jaffa and also places them 2nd overall in the league table.
Junior 53-12 XC League
Great win for Harriers
Colchester Harriers stormed to victory in the latest race of the 53-12 Junior league held over a grassed circuit at Gosfield school. The green vests were completely dominant with all 5 scorers in the first 6 home. Oscar Dawson was the overall winner and took the first under 17 prize, he was followed home in third spot by Danny Millward who was second under 15, Jake Young 4th and second under 17 was followed by Matt Smith 5th and third under 15, and final scorer Ziggy Lambton 6th and first under 13. Harriers total score of 19pts saw them win by a distance with Ipswich Jaffa 2nd on 81pts, and Colchester and Tendring 3rd with 112 pts.
Other Harrier juniors were Drew Olley 8th 3rd under 17, Archie French 9th, Lewis Bysouth-Smith 14th, Hannah Watson 16th 1st under 15, Joseph Boden 17th, Lilly Waterson 39th, Hannah Rodgers 56th, Amelia Dean 59th, Masie Waterson 66th, Mia Farrell 67th, Emily McGill 86th. 102 ran.