Sherdley Park was the venue for another superb Northern Championship with old memories and new ones merging on an afternoon which witnessed the inexorable rise of St Helens-Sutton A C. There were individual successes, Dave Forrester, tenth in the under 15 race, Laura Davenport eleventh in the under 20 event and John Dumbell staking a place for the inter-counties as third Merseyside runner to finish in the under 13 contest. There were the gutsy team performances from Jason White, Sheru Gulati and Steve Roberston to complete teams in the under 15, 17 and 20 events respectively. There were disappointments too as Dave Twigg, Sara McLoughlin and Andy O'Connor were unable to finish because of illness and injury but the trio are strong enough to bounce back.

The club's progress was there for all to see. In 2003 we had 22 finishers across the ten races with three complete teams. This year we had 38 finishers and five teams. Zoe Woodward (55), Kim Bridge (107), Lorna Forrester (128) & Laura Crook (152) took the under 13 girls into  22nd position whereas last year we didn't have a team. The under 13 Boys' team were tenth led home by John Dumbell (28) with support from Ben Clough (49), Mike Ehlen (61), Ryan Rigby (119), Steve Clague (130) and Anthony Marsh (131)..

With Chloe Wilson racing in the Air Cadets regional final where she finished fourth and Jessica Cretu down with 'flu, the under 15 team had two finishers, an increase of 100% over last year. Lucy Cannon (142) and Mellissa McLoughlin (153) preparing for their track season with some stamina work. We had no under 15 Boys' team at Manchester but this year Dave Forrester (10), Mike Burke (121), Tom Rigby (156) and Jason White (2002) were 21st.

Laura Davenport produced an outstanding performance from start to finish and will be considered for the Merseyside senior ladies team in the inter-counties while the men's under 20 quartet of Greg Williams (41), Barry Cunliffe (50) Steve Mayers (51) and Steve Robertson (80) were seventh in the team race.

The senior men made a seven place improvement from 46th to 39th boosted by the late news that John Appleton and Ian Hayburn had been cleared to compete first claim with immediate effect. Tony Smith (118), Barry Graney (264), Ian White (343), Ian Hayburn (358), Ray Vose (420) and John Appleton (485) making the count with Richie Bradshaw (608), Stan Erlam (643) and Tony Raffle (666) making the finish line with typical determination. Photographs of some of the club's junior and senior runners can be found on TheEventPhotographer.co.uk website.

And a warm thanks to John Irwin, Dave Morley, Steve Eccleston, Alan Davies Laura Savage, Lucy Mitchell and Dennis Fulton and all those from other clubs on Merseyside whose roles as marshalls made the event such a success. Last but not least it was a pleasure to see John McLoughlin (Northern bronze medalist in the under 15 race in 1962), Brian Renshall, an integral part of the great Sutton team of the late 1960's and former chairman, Roger McCall, who still maintains an interest in club affairs and acts as a field event official whenever he can. Now for the National!!!

Results

Pole Vaulter Peter Code put in some stamina work by running in the Helsby Half Marathon and recorded 1.47.44 to finish 869 in a field of almost 1500 finishers.

Jake Davidson earned St Helens-Sutton A C's first indoor medal when he took second place in the under 17 triple jump at Sheffield. Jake beat the magical 12 metres mark with all bar one of his jumps, winning the silver medal with 12.39m. This is 80cm up on his outdoor best and augers well for the coming season.

Steve Mayers and Greg Williams led the senior boys' challenge at the Merseyside Schools' finishing fourth and sixth and there was a great return to form for Mike Burke who was a splendid third in the junior boys' race. John Dumbell (17th), Tom Rigby (28th) and Sheru Gulati (13th) ran in the junior, inter and senior boys' races respectively, John finishing as third first year. Ben Clough twisted his knee, Mike Ehlen is concentrating on his sprint work and Peter Knowles did not compete because of an injured back. Dave Twigg added the Cheshire Schools' interemediate title at Bishop Herber High School to the equivalent club's title he won recently.

Garstang Fun Run, 11 January

The Eccleston quartet were in action at Garstang, Julia ran round with Mark in 18.49 while Steve and Jennifer completed the course in 22.35. Unfortunately they won't be able to repeat the performance at our own Fun Run in March unless Julia uses it as a warm up for the main race and Steve wants something to do before acing as a marshal.

L&D Cross Country Championships, Clarke Gardens, 11 January

Tony Smith sleepwalked round a loosely marked out course to lead the team home after working on nights. A good turn out saw eleven starters run the long course in   a strong, cold wind. The team was strengthened by the juniors this week and it was   nice to see some old faces back.  Many thanks to Frank Vose for helping with the results, though not for his adding up!  Fourth position after three years finishing sixth was an excellent result, underlined the club's improvement over the past year and     represents a good recovery following the disappointment of not finishing a team in  the county championships Now for the Northern and National.Results

Cheshire Cross Country Championships, Winsford, 3 January

The club's progress was marked with two individual county titles, one team title and a total of two dozen medals on a day of individual courage, determination, commitment and team spirit. The individual titles (the club's first individual Merseyside county cross country titles of the Millennium) were won by James Farghar & Laura Davenport. Both took on the opposition early, James powering away to victory and Laura gently easing to the front, each for clear wins.

James had top ten support from Dave Forrester (3) and Mike Burke(9) with Tom Rigby (19) closing in for silver medals in the team race. This came hard on the heels of a splendid team victory in the under 13 Boys' race whose early race packing of four in the first five was reminiscent of Sutton's golden days. Ben Clough (2), Peter Knowles(4), Mike Ehlen (6) and John Dumbell (11) closing in for a three point victory to retain the trophy won on count back last year.

It was team running which took the bronze medals in the under 13 race, the club's total of 59 matched by Wirral but a brilliant team finish saw Sara McLoughlin (8),Kim Bridge(16), Laura Crook(17) and Lorna Forrester (18) stylishly  claiming the medals on the count back rule.

There were many examples of courage during the afternoon, including Jason White, Ryan Rigby and Steve Clague as squad members while Jessica Cretu and Zoe Strong were outstanding. Both asthmas sufferers they battled the elements and asthma attacks to earn medals for their team mates. Chloe Wilson (9) led the under 15 girls magnificently with Lucy Cannon(14), Mellissa McLoughlin (20) and Jessica (22) claiming the bronze medals.

Zoe hung on superbly to finish 11th as the club's second counter behind ninth placed Louise Casey with Christine Dempsey (13) and Cecilia Fitzsimons (14) taking the silver medals supported by Julia Eccleston (16) and Pam Appleton (19). The third over 45 individual medal also went to Cecilia.

Tom Griffiths(10) headed the fifth placed under 17 team with John Appleton (20), Sheru Gulati (26) and Tony Emley (27) making sure we had a complete team as a marker for next year's championships. With flu ruling out Steve Mayers and injury accounting for Steve Robertson it was left to Barry Cunliffe (6) and Greg Williams (10) to lay their claims for places in the county team.

The senior men had six runners but only five were eligible for the team race. Tony Smith (13) led them home followed by Barry Graney, Ian Hayburn, Ian White and Ray Vose with Ritchie Bradshaw finishing 64th. Unfortunately, Ian Hayburn has yet to be cleared for team competition and we recorded an incomplete team. Tony Raffle made a brave effort to run but was ruled out with sore calves after the first lap.

Many thanks to Phil Thomas, Danny McLoughlin, Mandy McLoughlin, Sue Clague, John Irwin and Ray Vose who shared the team manager's duties. To the parental support from Paul Davenport, Mr Emley, Mr Fargher, Mrs Dumbell, Mr and Mrs Knowles, Janet Holmes (announcer reminder), John and Diane Appleton (who has promised to run in 2005), Mrs Griffiths and Mrs Appleton, Mr Bridge, Mr Crook, Frank Hayes, Frank Vose, Mr & Mrs Forrester, Mrs Cretu, Luke Burke and many others whose names may have  inadvertently been left out.

Congratulations to Ray Vose, Joe Ehlen, John Irwin and Danny McLoughlin for all their hard work with the athletes over recent months. In the year 2000 the club had fifteen athletes taking part in the Merseyside Championship and earned a solitary individual medal (Laura Davenport in the under 15 girls race). We earned our first team title last year and have started winning individual titles. This is not the end, only the foundation for even greater success thanks to the team work, team spirit and support evident at Stadt Moors Park today. Congratulations to everyone. A Happy new Year. Results