North Wales Cross Country League

Wrexham, 17th January 2009

With expectations high of clinching the North Wales Cross Country League title, a large turn out of Shrewsbury AC runners was always on the cards when the penultimate fixture in the Series took place at Wrexham on Saturday. Over 20 club runners braved the windy conditions, with England International Mike James , among the leading runners initially, but having to pull out during the race when the effects of a long term chest infection worsened. In the absence , also of Ian Coupland through injury, it was rising star Steve France who lead the side home in 16th place. There then followed a duel for 2nd club spot between Dom Kirby and Kevin Francis. Kirby, continuing his meteoric rise through the club's finishing order, was the 2nd Club runner for the majority of the race, only to be overtaken in the finishing straight by Francis, the two finishing in 20th and 21st places.The remaining team places were occupied by the closely grouped Graham Jones, 26th, Duncan Beales, 29th and Steve Waters, 30th.
It was a case of strength in depth, with the team achieving 142 points, enough, subject to confirmation, to consolidate their position at the head of the League, with one more fixture remaining at Oswestry on February 7th.
Anna Bartlett achieved a consistent 4th place in the Womens' Race and 1st in the over 35 category.


Division 1 after 4 Meetings

Shrewsbury AC 496
Eryri Harriers 744
Colwyn AC 1086
Telford AC 1185
Wrexham AC 1231
Abergele Harriers 1291
Tattenhall Runners 1642
Buckley Runners 2122

Results:
16th Steve France, 20th Kevin Francis, 21st Dominic Kirby, 26th Graham Jones, 29th Duncan Beales, 30th Steve Waters, 46th Tim Smith, 51st Pete Ball, 67th Chris Wakeman, 68th Gary Harper, 73rd Steve Hatton, 124th Duncan Rose, 138th Adam Stockwell, 141st Steve Oliver, 145th Derek Owen, 146th Andy Lewis.