4th December 2004	NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE - LEEK
	Does anyone want to join a winning team for a change? Ray Plant led the Senior Men's cross country team to a successful defence of the North Staffs Cross Country League Division 1 title. Winning the individual title also obviously meant a lot to Ray who doesn't normally do all 4 fixtures in preference to his preferred Road events. This however was yet more proof of his all-round ability - only beaten by top cross country specialist and former Stoke man Mark Dalkins in the final fixture.  For the rest of us it was a case of deja-vu after the previous week's Birmingham League race over exactly the same course. In 6th place Tom Gale re-affirmed his greater strength this year ahead of myself struggling round for another Vets title in 8th. Andy Allen in 10th is getting fitter all the time after his long injury break and will also be pushing past me after Christmas. New 'old star' Mark Kinch surprised everyone except myself with a top 20 finish this time - a slight improvement over 62nd at Wye Road in October! Our final counter this time was Rob Rhodes appearing to 'enjoy' the hills in 21st. Ian Milner also showed some improvement over the previous week with 30th. Our other runner was Richard Barrington, just outside the top 100 - completing a small but committed team.  In the other age-groups Alex Hall completed his 3rd win in 3 races in the U17 men with a dominant performance from the gun. Unlike most of his contemporaries Alex is actually looking forward to the longer courses at senior level next year! Lee Hughes romped away from the field in the U15 boys to win the individual title ahead of team mate Tom Gething, with Stoke bringing home 4 in 5 to win the team title as well. George Cooper's improving boy's squad also delivered victory in the U13 age-group with the rapidly improving Jacob Hart, Sam Hart, Lee Migliacio and Josh Kinch again finishing 4 in 5, comprehensively winning the team title. In the U13 girls K Holt won a great race backed up by a few more team mates this time to show that Stoke girls are also starting to flex their muscles again. John Danahay North Staffs Cross Country League Website: www.nsccl.co.uk