Harriers lose by slightest of margins, but favourites to win league

Margins are slight the higher level you get in running, and Colchester Harriers men had misfortune cast on them at the penultimate Essex League XC fixture held at a terribly muddy Epping Forest.

With big fields due to the last warm up before the Cross Country Championship of Essex at Woodford Green this coming weekend, athletes needed to test themselves before the big day.

With Harriers having advantage of the final fixture at home at the Abbey fields a victory at Epping against host team Orion Harriers would have secured the league title. But luck did not shine with star man Adrian Mussett ruled out late on with an injury Harriers knew the result would be close.

With 6 to score Colchester Harriers clocked 129 points exactly the same as Havering Mayesbrook but with the count back rule and the last scorer being lower for Harriers – Havering  were given victory, which means that Colchester must beat Orion Harriers who came 4th on the day to secure the title at Abbey fields.

The men ran bravely with Angus Holford having a superb race in 2nd spot, but the second claim Harrier  cant score for the green vests so the first  scorer home was Essex Grand Prix road Champion Carwyn Jones in 5th, then came Chris Sellens 8th, and Daz Farrugi 11th. Mark Harrod was in top form 25th, then came the final 2 scorers Colin Ridley 33rd ( 1st over 50 ) and  an in form Paul Rodgers 46th. Just missing out was the experienced Paul Spowage 47th, and Jon Nears 49th. Fine back up came from Pete West 57th, Dan Marks 82nd, Allen Smalls 94th (suffering from illness), and Simon Morgan 116th.

Senior Men’s Team result

League standings (with worse score of 5 to drop)

The Harriers men’s veterans team won again and have already retained their title won last season.

Veteran team standings after 4 rounds.

Ladies

Harriers ladies were also in great form, led by Sarah Stradling who was again runner up behind Jody Judd , the ladies secured second place and the veteran ladies were winners, this means that Harriers barring a disaster will win the veteran league and be second in the senior league if results go as expected at Abbeyfields. Stradling now past 40 is getting quicker and has been in fine form , and was well supported by  Denise Morley 10th ( 1st over 45 ) , the ever youthful Debbie Cattermole 13th ( 3rd over 45), and Becky Cooke 14th. Then came Ella Neale 18th and Jo Martin 26th on her Essex League debut.

Result on the day

League standings with worse result to drop.

Veteran league standings

Juniors

Ziggy Lambton roared to victory in the under 13 boys race to gain his first Essex league XC victory.

For the under 13 girls Hannah Rodgers 35th, and Francesca Williamson 36th, were both pleased with their performances.