| 7th
December 2002 |
NORTH
STAFFORDSHIRE CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE - LEEK |
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City of Stoke senior men's team completed the final fixture with another
team win over Staffs Moorlands to win the 1st Division League title for the
first time in a few years!
The tough Leek course was cut to 2 large laps due to concerns about the
weather. Pete Benyon was out fast, leading most of the way around the
opening 2 football field laps before heading out into the rough stuff. Steve
Heathcote, making his club debut zipped into the lead followed by Pete, Andy
Allen and myself with Dave Hollins, Steve Pyke and Steve Bazell of Trentham
in close attendance. Down the very steep bank on the first lap - Steve and
Pete maintained their lead but were quickly joined by Hollins. Over the next
half a lap Hollins forged out a 50m lead as I chased down Pete for 2nd by
the end of the large lap at the top of the big hill, closely followed by
Andy Allen. Heading down the steep bank for the 2nd time Pete got away from
me and Andy also got past. Hollins now had an unassailable 80m lead as I
eventually got back to Pete on the final big hill. Despite my best efforts,
Pete dug deep and broke my charge in the final 150 yards. Staffs Moorland's
Dave Neill came through very strongly to get 4th in front of a resurgent
Andy Allen, enjoying his best run of the winter so far. Steve Heathcote hung
on for 15th in his first outing for us, with Rob Rhodes completing another
top 20 finish. Veteran Adri Hartveld completed the scoring team to win the
V40 league title (after cycling from Wolstanton!).
In the U15 boys Alex Derricott charged round to gain a great win over close
rival G Allot from Staffs Moorlands. Backed up by Damien Gallagher in 5th
the team completed in 27th points to win the fixture. As in so many of the
other age-groups there was no league title - forced on us by the clash of
the 2nd fixture with the National Relay Championships.
However, in the U11 girls G. Greaves put in a superb effort over the 4
fixtures to win the title despite coming second in the final race. She was
closely followed by the other girls in the team to dominate the team
scoring.
John Danahay
North Staffs Cross Country League Website: www.nsccl.co.uk
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Senior Men
2. Pete Benyon
3. John Danahay (V40)
5. Andy Allen
15. Steve Heathcote
17. Rob Rhodes
26. Adri Hartveld (V40)
30. Ian Milner
Team:
1. Stoke
2. Moorlands
Overall League
1. Stoke
2. Staff Moorlands
3. Trentham
U15 Boys
1. Alex Derricott
5. Damien Gallagher
Team:
1. Stoke
U13 Boys
5. N. Dring
U11 Girls
2. G. Greaves
3. H. Gallimore
4. D. Johnson
5. F. Roberts
Team:
1. Stoke
Overall League
1. Stoke
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23.11
23.13
23.24
24.20
24.43
68
80
309
347
437
15.42
16.12
27
11.19
8.51
9.20
9.30
9.33
14
79
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