17th February 2007	BIRMINGHAM CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE- CHELTENHAM
	A combination of youth and experience helped Stoke AC to maintain their status in Division 1 of the Birmingham League for the 14th year in a row - the only local club to have done this, by a long way! Real problems with injury and illness yet again impacted strongly on the small Stoke squad, and we can only wish the afflicted a quick recovery! Former U15 National Champion Alex Derricott made his Birmingham League debut at last, after a season badly affected by illness, and he ran strongly in a typically tough field. 25th is a great result for a 17 year old at this level and hopefully creates a benchmark for the start of next season.  Damion Gallagher, also only 17, has also shown massive potential this season, and he maintained his excellent results in this league with 33rd. Again this is an athlete who should figure strongly at a National level in the next couple of years. 3rd counter in 67th was Steve Bazell who has run all 4 fixtures this season, which is a real credit to his commitment. Steve has continued to improve as the season has progressed and hopefully will now return to the level he is capable of. As for myself - perhaps there is life in the old legs yet! Yet again for the last time... I trundled round to make up the numbers and surprised myself in 72nd, a couple of places up on last year! But for a lost shoe - top 60? In 79th Gavin Walters ran himself into the ground with a typically gutsy performance. We know Gavin is capable of being the best cross country runner in North Staffordshire if he trains consistently. Please, just show us what you can really do with a bit of training, Gav! 6th counter on this occasion was Adrian Thiemicke, who not for the first time made absolutely certain that we completed a team in the final fixture. Close behind was M60 Richard Barrington (in serious training for the Masters indoors 60m sprint!). Adrian and Richard are what make Stoke AC different from other clubs. You know that they will run when the chips are down, and we cannot thank them enough for their commitment. Despite the final race turnout, Team Manager Steve Shubotham expressed considerable satisfaction with the season long effort, which also saw a comprehensive team victory in the North Staffs league for the 4th year in a row. All he and Stoke AC need is a little bit of luck, and more runners... If you are unattached or a member of another club and want to find out how we have remained at the top level for so long please contact Steve or myself. Team result to follow. John Danahay Full results at www.birminghamccleague.co.uk
	Stoke results: 25. Alex Derricott (U20) 33. Damion Gallagher (U20) 67. Steve Bazell 72. John Danahay (M40) 79. Gavin Walters 137. Adrian Thiemicke (M40) 139. Richard Barrington (M60)	32.20 33.05 35.00 35.17 35.35 45.01 45.39