www.belgraveharriers.com
Winter season closes on a high - April 23, 2005
So mission JJ has drawn to a close on a wonderful high, as we can boast stats of: Played 17, won 7, lost 10. Titles: 6. But these juicy numbers don’t tell the whole story. Although we’ve had a marvellous winter, it has also been one full of incredible drama. What strikes me, upon re-reading the season’s reports is how close and thrilling so many races have been. Half-way through the Southern six-stage, for instance, we could barely imagine a medal…gold was surely out of the question. And what about the Miles-McCormack duel at Mansfield. Unforgettable. Then there was our pipsqueak of a win in the South of the Thames, two valiant but frustrating days at the big cross-country races, and another near miss at the AAA ‘Half’.
Entertaining and classy race
Just as it appeared we’d lost our winning touch, the two end of season relays have provided salvation. There was very little about yesterday I would have changed – possibly the most complete day of my 9-year career. Every one of 24,000 miles of training felt worthwhile. Many congratulations to Birchfield for giving us, and the spectators, such an entertaining and classy race to savour. The sight of Wilf Taragon in full flow was worth the trip alone.
Thanks ...
My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has helped make the season such a success. Of course to the 60 runners, but also to the supporters and helpers. In particular to the Mead family, Gordon Biscoe, Eric and Mavis Hall, Don Anderson and Bill Laws. Thank you for tuning into Skipper’s Corner. It has been a pleasure to produce and shall return in August. What follows is a brief, whimsical, summary of the last eight months.
Race |
|
Position |
Man-of-the-match |
Surrey 6-stage |
Back-to-back wins at curtain raiser. |
won |
Lee Greatorex |
|
SEAA 6-stage |
Third cliffhanger in a row at Mount Rushmoor |
won |
Jon Blackledge |
Surrey League 1 |
Fine win as the DA stops the SS in his tracks. |
won |
Knut Hegvold |
AAA 6-stage |
Clinical four-peat in a midlands monsoon. |
won |
Mark Miles |
|
AAA 4-stage |
The winter’s most gripping duel as the boy wonder shows he’s human. |
2nd |
Steve Sharp |
|
South of Thames Junior |
Battling Engine-room boys just short of medals. |
4th |
Tom Ellacott |
|
Euro clubs trial |
Super-Cambus-are-fantastic-Belgrave-are-atrocious. |
2nd |
Tim Watson |
|
Surrey League 2 |
Taken out real savage by mighty saltire. |
3rd |
Mal Byansi |
South of Thames Snr. |
The “Garden of England” fail to stop us in our own back garden. |
won |
Mike Trees |
|
Surrey League 3 |
Sent packing as Thames pack ‘em in yet again. |
2nd |
Hassan Raidi |
|
SEAA CCCs |
The Heath foils our delusions of grandeur…but a new star is born. |
8th |
John Charles |
|
Surrey League 4 |
Limp end to campaign – but still league runners-up. |
7th |
Harry Corbett |
|
The National |
Brave defence, but licking too many wounds. |
6th |
Mark Miles |
|
AAA ˝ Marathon |
Skeleton team almost pulls off cheeky smash-and-grab. |
2nd |
Erwin McRae |
SEAA 12-stage |
Bels bite back at barking Beagles. |
won |
David Anderson |
London Marathon |
Kassa battles valiantly to catch a "Lobbster" |
2nd |
Warren Lynch |
AAA 12-stage |
Introducing…the dream team! |
won |
Phil Wicks |
