1 December 2007	BIRMINGHAM CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE - NORTHAMPTON
	Yet again this season our overall lack of numbers combined with a horrendous injury and illness list put paid to any serious attempt to climb up the Birmingham League team standings. As usual everyone who ran at Northampton put in their best effort to gain a good placing for themselves and minimise the team losses. With Danny Barker, Carl Shubotham, Tom Gayle, Pete Benyon, Brian Cole and Mark Kinch all missing through injury or illness we really are only operating with half a team. Overall 14th out of 16 teams on the day was good result in the circumstances. but unfortunately leaves us with 157 points to find in the next 2 fixtures to avoid relegation for the first time in 15 years. Andy Allen yet again led the troops over the top and ran a strong race for his 41st. Andy might have run a bit better, but for an over enthusiastic track session last Tuesday. Sorry Andy, my fault! Close behind Steve Bazell finished exactly 50th for the second race in a row. Steve is showing much better consistency this year and I think he will run even better after Christmas.  My own run in 87th was tempered by the fact that my hamstring injury has not really recovered from Stafford Common, but this time I had to finish. My aerobic fitness is now up to a level where I can go much quicker if this problem is sorted, but I would have to say that I am now very doubtful for the North Staffs League at Leek next week. Not far behind me, Ian Milner showed that he is definitely on the up again with  strong performance in 105th. Ian is another guy who possibly suffered from my lack of coaching experience, and will run much better when he is a little fresher! Gavin Walters is still not training consistently and the Birmingham League Division One takes no prisoners. Hopefully Gavin will now be able to turn his season around because despite his commitment to turn out and his effort during the race itself, 125th is at least 100 places down on where he is capable of finishing...  Last but not least Adrian Thiemicke got the team home. I know Adrian would much rather be shouting at the rest of us from the sidelines, but everyone really appreciates Adrian's contribution. (I guess he would prefer even more to be healthy and racing it out properly like he could do 15 years ago, but that is another story)... Elsewhere it was good to see former Stoke juniors Alex Derricott and Damian Gallagher achieving their best ever Birmingham League results, even if they are competing for a different club! Former Stoke stalwart Andy Prophett also ran particularly well - it must be something in the water at Cheltenham!.  John Danahay Full results at www.birminghamccleague.co.uk
	Stoke results:  41. Andy Allen (M40) 50. Steve Bazell 87. John Danahay (M45) 105. Ian Milner 125. Gavin Walters 172. Adrian Thiemicke (M40)	580 pts - 14th, 14th overall 36.06 36.30 38.25 39.31 41.00 50.50