Midland Cross Country Championships - Mens (31/01/2016)

Tom Holden reports,

I'll get straight to it. What a great day for our squad at the Midland Champs yesterday. First up were the Juniors. With Gareth Griffiths having raced hard the week before, Luke Vine recovering from a cold, and Tom Acha and Jacob Anson still regaining fitness after long injury lay offs its fair to say they weren't in the greatest of health. But battle they did and were only denied the Gold team medal on count back. Well done lads, and three of that team will have another shot at it next year (Luke finally becomes a senior).

The Senior team were looking really strong a week out, but there were a few set backs in run up and it was left to the youth to step up to the mark. And step up they did. Aspinall and Byrne led out the team finishing 9th and 11th respectively. Ever consistent Ian Williams was next in, finishing 18th and remarkably for the second race in a row outsprinted someone. Behind, there was a titanic battle between the youngsters Soley, Barnsley and Gillespie. After going out hard Soley was looking in prime position to be fourth counter, but he was chased down and overtaken on the last lap by 'Son of Tipton' Barnsley, with Gillespie close behind. They finished 32nd, 34th and 38th respectively. That was good enough to edge out OWLs for a Silver Medal. The make up of this team and the fact we have some excellent juniors coming through bodes very well for the future.

MidlandXC2016-U20TeamSilver MidlandXC2016SenTeamSilver