15 November 2008	NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE - STAFFORD
	Although not one of our best turn-outs this year in terms of numbers the Stoke AC competitors who squelched around the mud of Stafford Common gave an excellent account of themselves and showed strongly in all the races that they contested. The U11 girls team was led home again by Sarah Griffiths who just lost out on a sprint finish, but in any case still leads the individual title race with one fixture to go. Very close behind Megan Cogan improved massively from previous races, and along with another strong performance from Monica Organisciak the U11s dominated the team race and look favourites for the title in Leek. Olivia Barnett, Lydia Whiston, Elizabeth Beech and Laura Cogan were not far behind either, and show the depth in this age-group at Stoke AC. The U13 girls also gave a good account of themselves, with a great run from Maraid Nolan leading the team home. Lydia Beech, Melissa Harding and Natasha Clowes made sure that the team kept themselves in contention for a medal too with strong runs. The U15 girls have been thinner on the ground this year with many opting to compete in the North Midlands league instead. However Jade Heath and Jessica Griffiths have stuck to their task in the North Staffs and both were rewarded with their best finishing positions of the season so far. The U11 boys found a potential new star in Joel Mann as he timed his finish to perfection to win his first North staffs League race. Robroy Gregory in a great 6th is one of the most determined Stoke AC competitors, and continues to improve with every race. New-comer Ethan Wymess is also showing improvement and helped the team to 3rd place on the day. In the U13 boys race, another new recruit Ashley Wyatt almost won on his debut in the league, with an excellent effort in which he was only pipped metres from the line by a more experienced competitor. Nick Stoddard is one of the most improved athletes in George Cooper's squad and he proved it here with his best finish so far in an excellent 4th. Callum Griffith and George Steventon also recorded their best results of the year so far to help the team to 2nd place on the day. The U13 boys are now in pole position for another team title.  The U15 boys is the age-group most effected by our efforts to introduce our lads to National level competition, but lone competitor Sam Botham has plugged away consistently this season, and with 6th place Sam has set himself up for an individual medal if he can finish equally high up at Leek. Mike Harding yet again led the U17 men home. Running strongly in the mid part of the race, Mike managed to get up to 2nd at one stage but fell back slightly in the later stages to finish 5th. As a first year U17 Mike is competing against some older runners, and I am certain that he will be unbeatable locally when he gets it completely right. Former top U15 Nathan Ainsworth returned to running with his first race of the season with a steady performance, and he was closely followed by Joe Broome, suffering a bit from stitch. Ryan Salisbury completed a Stoke quartet with another steady run and the U17s finished in 2nd place as a team behind a strong Staffs Moorlands squad. We had hoped that we could field a much stronger Stoke AC senior men's team at this fixture and put league leaders Staffs Moorlands under pressure. However yet again events and injuries conspired against us. In any case new recruit Seb Duffy proved what a strong competitor he is, with a trouble free gun to tape 2nd place behind an assured and relaxed Alex Derricott. Good luck in the European trials next week Alex! Steve Bazell was also well up in the early stages, but after going through a bad patch mid race, dug in superbly on the last lap to hold onto 7th, and keep himself in contention for a bronze medal overall. Dave Lee also made a real attempt to break into new territory, and for more than half the race a top 30 placing was looking likely. Unfortunately a back injury forced Dave to pull off the pace but mindful of the need to finish 6 competitors Dave kept going and still finished in the top 50. Ant Faulkner is another new recruit who has improved rapidly in a few races, and he also had a great run from the 100's through to 71st, passing others throughout the race. Close behind U20 Rob Cook also showed strongly in the early stages, went through a bad patch, but showed great determination to pick up again at the end. Adrian Thiemicke was our final man home in 128th with a massive effort to try and limit our losses.  330 points and 4th place keeps us in 2nd place overall, but it could have easily been relegation to Division 2. Thanks again Adrian. John Danahay Full results on the North Staffs Cross Country League Website: www.nsccl.co.uk Great photos courtesy of Brian Dale and Mick Hall U11 Girls Team 1st - 11 points 2. Sarah Griffiths 3. Megan Cogan 6. Monica Organisiack 10. Olivia Barnett 14. Lydia Whiston 15. Elizabeth Beech 23. Laura Cogan   U13 Girls - Team 3rd - 31 points 8. Maraid Nolan 11. Lydia Beech 12. Melissa Harding 13. Natasha Clowes U15 Girls 7. Jade Heath 8. Jessica Griffiths U11 Boys - Team 3rd - 27 points  1. Joel Mann 6. Robroy Gregory 20. Ethan Wymess U13 Boys - Team 2nd - 23 points  2. Ashley Wyatt 4 Nick Stoddard 17. Callum Griffiths 26. George Steventon U15 Boys - 6. Sam Botham U17 Men - Team  2nd - 22 points  5. Michael Harding 8. Nathan Ainsworth 9. Joe Broome 15. Ryan Salisbury Jun, Sen & Vet Men - Team 4th - 330 pts  2. Seb Duffy 7. Steve Bazell 49. Dave Lee 71. Ant Faulkner 73. Rob Cook (U20) 128. Adrian Thiemicke 5.53 5.55 6.19 6.26 6.35 6.39 7.22 8.23 8.34 8.38 8.41 14.51 15.43 7.17 7.54 9.46 12.58 13.44 15.01 16.55 15.24 18.53 19.14 19.47 20.40 35.01 36.23 40.14 42.08 42.20 45.52