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.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Shropshire Cross Country Championships
10th January 2009 , Lilleshall.
SAC fielded athletes from U13 through to the Seniors in this years County Championships, run over the icy course in near Arctic conditions. For the large part the ground was frozen solid which made for difficult footing, and was not to everyones liking.
Juniors - U13
In the U13 Boys, four runners set off with Ben Ashcroft again a challenger at the head of the field. A comfortable display from Ben resulted in a 4th place finish, clear of any threat from the 5th place runner and with it selection to the County Squad.
Further down the field two of our younger runners who had ran so strongly in the U11 competition this year took on their more senior rivals at this longer distance. Ross Kirby was next SAC runner, coming home a very well earned 23rd while Luke Howes put in an solid even paced run capped off with a great sprint finish to finish in 32nd.
Daniel Lucas again demonstrated his improvement in his debut season with a strong run in 27th.
4th - Ben Ashcroft, 11m 08s
23rd - Ross Kirby, 12m 34s
27th - Daniel Lucas, 12m 53s
32nd - Luke Howes, 13m 08s
Senior Women
Anna Bartlett was the sole representative in the senior womens race, and again cemented her place in the higher echelons of the county runners. A 5th place overall, and 1st in the Vet Ladies just rewards for another strong performance from the ever ready Bartlett.
5th Anna Bartlett, 22m 22s
Senior Men
Track star Andy Beeston joined the ranks of the X Country team which was depleted through a combination of injury/illness and work commitments. The team of 6 performed well enough to secure the 2nd Team prize, sandwiched between Telford 'A' and 'B' teams.
Steve France & Dom Kirby lead the way for SAC with a strong run together as they tried to break up the domination from the Telford team. France finished strongly again to secure 9th place, with Kirby trailing 20seconds back in 11th.
Evergreen veteran and Club Captain Graham Jones was next up in 14th place showing Kev Francis how its done. Francis, who was quietly celebrating his birthday finished 16th.
18th was where Steve Waters finished after a recent heavy training schedule took its toll, while Beeston completed the team placings in 31st.
9th Steve France, 34m
11th Dom Kirby, 34m 20s
14th Graham Jones, 34m 57s
16th Kevin Francis, 36m
18th Steve Waters, 36m 26s
31st Andy Beeston, 39m, 10s
Next date in the XC calendar (Seniors)is this Saturday, 17th January with a trip to Wrexham in the North Wales Cross Country League. SAC continue the defence of the title won last year.
SAC fielded athletes from U13 through to the Seniors in this years County Championships, run over the icy course in near Arctic conditions. For the large part the ground was frozen solid which made for difficult footing, and was not to everyones liking.
Juniors - U13
In the U13 Boys, four runners set off with Ben Ashcroft again a challenger at the head of the field. A comfortable display from Ben resulted in a 4th place finish, clear of any threat from the 5th place runner and with it selection to the County Squad.
Further down the field two of our younger runners who had ran so strongly in the U11 competition this year took on their more senior rivals at this longer distance. Ross Kirby was next SAC runner, coming home a very well earned 23rd while Luke Howes put in an solid even paced run capped off with a great sprint finish to finish in 32nd.
Daniel Lucas again demonstrated his improvement in his debut season with a strong run in 27th.
4th - Ben Ashcroft, 11m 08s
23rd - Ross Kirby, 12m 34s
27th - Daniel Lucas, 12m 53s
32nd - Luke Howes, 13m 08s
Senior Women
Anna Bartlett was the sole representative in the senior womens race, and again cemented her place in the higher echelons of the county runners. A 5th place overall, and 1st in the Vet Ladies just rewards for another strong performance from the ever ready Bartlett.
5th Anna Bartlett, 22m 22s
Senior Men
Track star Andy Beeston joined the ranks of the X Country team which was depleted through a combination of injury/illness and work commitments. The team of 6 performed well enough to secure the 2nd Team prize, sandwiched between Telford 'A' and 'B' teams.
Steve France & Dom Kirby lead the way for SAC with a strong run together as they tried to break up the domination from the Telford team. France finished strongly again to secure 9th place, with Kirby trailing 20seconds back in 11th.
Evergreen veteran and Club Captain Graham Jones was next up in 14th place showing Kev Francis how its done. Francis, who was quietly celebrating his birthday finished 16th.
18th was where Steve Waters finished after a recent heavy training schedule took its toll, while Beeston completed the team placings in 31st.
9th Steve France, 34m
11th Dom Kirby, 34m 20s
14th Graham Jones, 34m 57s
16th Kevin Francis, 36m
18th Steve Waters, 36m 26s
31st Andy Beeston, 39m, 10s
Next date in the XC calendar (Seniors)is this Saturday, 17th January with a trip to Wrexham in the North Wales Cross Country League. SAC continue the defence of the title won last year.
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