Gwent League

Newport Harriers Gwent League

Gwent League Cross-Country
Newbridge Fields, Bridgend, 12th October 2008

Senior Men – great weather, great turnout

This course is usually a mud-heap but with dry sunny weather for the entire preceding week it was as good as it gets – soft going but firm underfoot. With a crop of new recruits Newport had eleven runners, over twice as many as in any race last season. Neil Hardee led the black and amber charge in 20th position, followed next by Dave Goodger, returning from injury, in 80th place. Next in was the first of our new recruits, Dave Griffiths, in 140th, followed closely by Chris Oxley (146th). We normally expect to see Chris in the top 100 but he has been lax on the training for some time so this was a benchmark run from which there should be some improvement. Top 800 metres runner Lee Richards (151st) experienced the joys of Gwent League for the first time and discovered that there were plenty of ‘old guys’ out there who could cruise past him with ease. Darryn McAtee (157th) came in ahead of two more debutants, Eddie Hiscocks (175th) and Stuart Pearce (223rd) to complete Newport’s A Team. Malcolm Medhurst (225th) spear-headed our B Team followed by Dave Proffitt (264th, watched by friend), and Simon Talbot (276th).

Newport cannot match the quality of the best teams in Division 1 so it will be another battle against relegation this season. On the other hand we did benefit from the no show of University of Bath so after the first race we sit one place above the drop zone. Assistant Team Manager Colin Bradley said after the race “I’m pleased with the performances but I’d like to see a bit more effort from Stuart Pearce during the middle part of the race and Malcolm Medhurst needs to stop fussing over whether he’s going to wear fell shoes or spikes and just get more focussed on his running”.

Senior Men Division 1

Senior women (151 starters) – bright start for Newport

Last season we should have been relegated but owing to a technicality (not enough teams) we have retained our Division 2 status. Not only that, with a strong turnout Newport finds itself in 2nd place. Kirsten Waring stepped up a few distances for a rare cross-country outing and produced a quality run in 40th position. Ann Saxena (55th) enjoyed her favourite running terrain and was the first over 50 female to finish. Rhian Loudon was fighting a cold so did well in 69th and will no doubt be targeting team-mate Ann in future races. One of the best runs of the day came from Becky Ingleton in 111th, like Kirsten stepping in distance but digging in with a good effort. If these four can stay together throughout the season then it could be a promotion year.

Senior Women Division 2