Sports Hall League - Wigan - 30 November

Unfortunately, with the exception of the U11 Boys' quartet of Adam Woosey, Scott Houghton, Daniel Elston and Jamie Dinnarr, the results from the Sports Hall Meeting at Wigan have not been published in readable form on the Sports Hall website. The abstract of the overall team positions shows that the U11boys, U13 Girls and U15 Girls all have an excellent chance of making the North West final while the U11 Girls, U13 Boys and U15 Boys have a lot to do if they are going to join them.

Salford Women's Race - Swinton 30 November

Five ladies contested the Salford Women's race led by Julia Eccleston, gradually regaining fitness, who was 26th in 37.16. Pam Appleton (51 - 41.25, 2nd O55), Chris Dempsey (52 - 41.44, 8th O55), Dorothy Fairhurst (113, 47.54, 2nd O65) and Joanne Keogh (143, 50.25). The team was seventh.

Leeds University Relays 29 November

Steve Moran managed to survive the freezing temperatures and thick fog to finish his leg of the Leeds relays in 16.03. Colleague Matt Stone missed the event, having hurt his back in the gym during the previous week.

UK Trial and Cross Challenge races - Sefton Park. 29 November

David Forrester remained on track with his bid for a European title by claiming an easy victory in the UK trial race at Sefton Park on firm surface but in foggy conditions. David won by eleven seconds in 20.29. In other races there were excellent performances from Chelsea Jarvis 8, 11.21), Rosie Johnson(13, 7.25), Lucy Griffiths (22, 7.41) and Danielle Webb (31, 7.56) and Jamie White (37, 10.25) amongst the Boys. Given the strength of the field the performances from Emma McCartney (45), an unwell Matthew Crehan (45), Jamie Webb (79), Rachel Wilcock (80), Jake Healey (80) and Nathan Brown (100) were all worthy of note. Danny Hughes (104) and David T Griffiths, who is also suffering with illness at the moment, both did well to finish.  In view of the quality of the race there was a disappointing turnout amongst the seniors which was exacerbated by a mix up over the team managing and marshalling in the absence of Ian Hayburn who was on the first of a two day L2 coaching course (another example of fantastic timing by England Athletics!!) Steve Mayers (194/19, 37:07), Barry Graney (222/33, 38:13), Pete Johnson (243/43, 38:57) and John Skinley (355/82, 46:02) completed the course and the team made the top team and lie fourth in division one. The positions given are (overall/L&D).

 Results  Sutton Results   L&D Results

An Early Reminder:

Barry Graney took the opportunity at the last Committee meeting to pay his membership subscription - and that of Ian Pass - for 2009. It's still only £15 for seniors, £10 for all other age groups, including full time students of any age, although anyone serving on the committee, including elected life members,  must be a fully subscribed individual. Please note that in 2009 a late administration fee will be charged for all subscriptions paid after 31 March 2009.

Northern Athletics Indoor Meeting - Sheffield 22 November

Matthew Stone and Steve Moran took part in the first Northern Athletics Indoor Meeting. Matthew (with a 48.6 400m against his name - never trust the Power of Ten, always go for Athletics Data) wanted to compete against Olympian Richard Buck (who did record the 48.6) over the longer distance of 600. He didn't quite catch his Leeds Met colleague but ran 1.27.11 which is good stamina work for the summer. All he has to do now is practice the hurdles!!!!! Matthew also ran 7.59 for 60m. Steve ran 17.91 (150) and 7.7(60) but will get quicker at the next Sheffield meeting. No pressure. Information from Steve Moran.

New Coaches:

The following members attended the level one course held at Sutton Sports Centre on 23 November and will be appointed L1 coaches when all the formalities have been completed. Steve Atherton, Lucy Croft, Heather Drillingcourt, Elizabeth Mousdale and Kathryn Sumner. Each has had a coach mentor appinted to oversee their individual coaching development. Ian Hayburn starts his L2 at the end of November, Sue Lowrie completes her L2 formalities in December while Andy Drillingcourt is adding jumps to his porfolio. Josie Barrow and Peter Johnson will start L1 in the New Year while Natalie Mullineux completes L2 in the New Year after qualifying as an accountant.. Anyone interested in coaching or officiating should contact Phil Thomas

London Marathon:2009

Anyone who wishes to be considered for one of the club's three places for the 2009 London Marathon. Julia Hayes and Janet Holmes will provide full details of the qualifications required of which the first three are that the person must have been a member for a minimum of a year, up to date with their annual subscription and have applied and been rejected in the open ballot. Applications should be made as soon as possible to the Secretary with evidence of ballot rejection. The decision is recommended by a sub-committee for final approval of the Committee as a whole. The chairman will only participate in extreme circumstances.

Manchester Area League ; Boggart Hole Clough : 16 November

The club was well represented at the second Manchester Area League. Highlights (not exclusive) included a win for Chelsea Jarvis (U13), second for Rosie Johnson (U11) while Jamie White (4) and Jamie Webb (5) earned top five places in the U15 contest and there were top ten rewards for  U17's Natalie Garrity (5), Heather Drillingcourt (9), John "Paintball" Ashcroft (6) and David T Griffiths (10) - Siobhan Hattersley (11) and Danny Hughes (18) running splendidly to ensure they finished teams. Nathan Brown (17) did the same for the U15 Boys.

The senior women's quartet of Gemma Connolly (tenth), Louise Hogg (23), Julia Eccleston(35), making her long awaited return to cross country and Karen Jarvis (41) were supported by Chris Dempsey (65), Chris Dickinson (72) and Sue Clague (101), who finished the race which son Steve failed to do owing to a knee injury (but we won't mention that). Steve's off to the NHS limp in centre to see identify the precise cause.

The U11 girls including Danielle Webb (9), Lucy Griffiths (18) and Lauren Wilcock (31) appear to have finished third, the result being delayed because another club ran an ineligible athlete. The U11 Boys team of Daniel Elston (8), Owen Kennedy(10), Adam Woosey(11), Jonathan Causer (15) and Ben Walsh (39) were definitely second.

Chris Garrity (17) and Adam Bleakley (24) were the U13 boys' representatives while the U13 girls were third with Chelsea Jarvis (1) supported by Rachel Woosey (16), Emma McCartney (18), and Vicky Lamb(30). The U15 girls grabbed a top six place thanks to Rachel Wilcock (12), Louise Hayes (24), Jenny Lamb (30) and Becky O'Brien (39).

The top six for the club in the men's race were Ian White (44), Maurice Collins (62), Robbie Marsh (64), Jim Crehan (67), Peter Johnson (79) and Steve Tate(80). Dennis Wharton (126) and Ian Hayburn (141) also completed the course. The team has moved up the table ahead of Manchester University and Manchester YMCA and has a good chance of being in next year's division one.

With Robbie too young to be counted as a veteran the over 40's were able to finish fourth for the second time in succession, beating East Cheshire on count back and remain firmly in fourth overall with a reasonable expectation of being in division one next year.

The rest of the provisional team positions after two races are that the senior women lie fifth, the veteran women fifth, the U17 girls are leading as are the U15 Boys. The U17 Boys are a comfortable second, the U13 girls lie third, the U15 girls are fifth, the U11 girls third and the U11 Boys second. Chelsea Jarvis and Rosie Johnson are amongst the potential individual medallists.

Julia Hayes acted as team manager, there was great support from all parents some of whom also assisted by providing transport for those without cars while Sue Crehan brought her dog (which, without any warning, sat on my foot). It was good to see John Irwin back in the midst of things following his recent successful operation.

The next match is at Sherdley Park on Saturday 13 December. Ian White will be leading the team of course setters from 8.am. that morning. Anyone available to put in a few hours should contact Ian as soon as possible.  Sue Clague is organising the course marshals (vital to ensure the course remains free during the races). Parents who have children running can choose to do their marshalling stint before or after their offspring's race. Senior Men Results  Results

Merseyside County Schools Team

The following club athletes have been selected to represent Merseyside Schools in an Inter-Counties match at Birmingham next weekend. John Ashcroft, David T Griffiths, Chelsea Jarvis, Jamie Webb and Jamie White. Congratulations to all and to coaches Adrian and Lyn Webb.

Preston 10 mile - 16 November

John and Pam Appleton took advantage of a sunny morning to compete in the two lap Preston 10 mile road race, John recording 68.20 (99th - 5th V55) and Pam 82.59 (276th - 3rd FV55). There were 347 finishers.
 
Gateshead Cross Challenge Meeting 15 November.

David Forrester won the junior event in 24.29 as he warms up for the trial race for the Europeans in two weeks time and a bid for the European title in December. Apparently, he'll get quicker once he starts doing some speed work!!!

Liverpool & District Cross Country - Beacon Park, Skelmersdale 8 November

David Forrester started the new Liverpool & District season has he ended the last one, winning the senior race. Using the race as a warm up for the Gateshead International Meeting next weekend, Dave won with nineteen seconds to spare and led the team into third place with the assistance of Marc Laithwaite (13), Ian Roberts(17), an unwell Tony Smith (21), Ian White (24) and Robbie Marsh (26) into third place, twelve points behind Wirral and five adrift of Liverpool.

John Ashcroft had a quick spin, not passing through the finish funnel, as a means of proving his fitness, while David T Griffiths and Danny Hughes did the same. John would have made the team count and the other two weren't far off either. As Marc, Ian and Robbie expect to contest the county championships we have a realistic chance of being in the medals in the battle with Wirral, Liverpool and SouthportWaterloo.

Barry Graney, who completed the race without a sole on one of his shoes finished fiftieth (one place ahead of the winner of the ladies' race) but hopes to be further up the field alongside Ian Costello(29), and the competitive group of  Monsieur Peter Johnson (35), Steve Tate (38) and Jim Crehan (39). Chris Levy was 68th, Billy Mousdale 89th, and Derek Ireland 118th.

The ladies too showed potential for the Merseyside Championships finishing in close succession, Karen Jarvis 96th, Louise Hogg 97th, Joanne Marsh 102nd and Chris Dickinson 117th. Results

Birmingham University Relays: 8 November

Sprinters Mathew Stone and Steve Moran volunteered to run for Leeds Metropolitan University at the Birmingham University relays. Mathew completed his 3k leg in 11minutes 3 seconds whilst Steve ran a more conservative 13.12.  Mathew beat his time from last year by just over 2 minutes and Steve by 1 minute 30 seconds.  The intrepid pair will next turn out in the dreaded Leeds Relays on the 29^th November, an event which both are eagerly anticipating. Report from Steve Moran.

Liverpool Primary Schools' League Clarkes Gardens 8 November

A splendid win for Lucy Griffiths in her third race of the series, having finished third in the first two contests.

National Cross Country Relays - Mansfield 1 November

Club athletes maintained their fine start to the season competing in the National Cross Country Relays at Mansfield. The U13 Girls were fourteenth, after Chelsea Jarvis recorded the fastest lap of the day on the first circuit, Rachel Woosey had finished fifth and Vicky Lamb ran a very competent final circuit.

The U17 Men followed the precedent they set at the road relays, Matt Crehan finishing third on lap one, John Ashcroft  sixth on the second circuit and Jake Healy anchoring the team home eighteenth. The B team were also in good form David T Griffiths running the fast of the trio on the second lap after Danny Hughes and Adam Fackey showed a return to form on the opening and closing legs.

Natalie Garrity showed new confidence in tackling the first leg for the U17 ladies at the National for the first time, Jemma Shaw returned to racing following her shopping trip to China and Heather Drillingcourt provided solid support on the final circuit.

After initial confusion which resulted in Rachel Wilcock running first leg and more than the required distance the U15 girls finished in  seventy second place , Louise Hayes and the plucky Jenny Lamb completing the team.

Julia Hayes was the team manager and special thanks must go to those parents who volunteered (OK maybe who were volunteered!!!) to take athletes in addition to their own children including Mrs Healy, Mrs Ashcroft, Jim Crehan and Andy Drillingcourt. Thanks too to those parents who also travelled in support of the athletes including Karen Jarvis, Mr Hughes, Mike Shaw. Ian Wilcock and Mr & Mrs Lamb. Apologies to anyone who has been overlooked. Results