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Young guns have gained maturity - September 11, 2006
Welcome to the third series of Skipper’s Corner and another tempestuous eight-month romp that’ll take us right through to D-day, April 7th, 2007, and our attempt to regain the National 12-stage Road Relay title, which is currently on loan (deservedly) to the Beagles of Newham and Essex. My last dispatch spoke of one of the most dramatic – and painful – days in our history as we let go of a title we were confident of retaining. The summer has been a period of convalescence as our young guns have gained maturity and confidence, while some our more experienced folk have shown welcome signs of a return to the limelight. Oh, and we won back the title that is so dear to us: the British Athletics League for Track and Field. Congratulations to all involved. So in short we enter into Mission-120 [this is the 120th winter of our existence], in fine fettle: let it roll!
I had a lively summer of releasing my book, commentating on the World Series of Backgammon for Eurosport, getting hitched, and honeymooning. My book sales are ticking along quite nicely and my humble thanks to all who have been kind enough to purchase a copy. Before I turn my attention to domination of world sales, I should like to offer a discount for anyone who would like an inscribed copy of “The 50 Greatest Marathon Races of all Time,” of £15 incl. post and package. Email Will Cockerell
I thought yesterday was a terrific day although I was a little distracted with inheriting some team manager duties. Let me tell you, this role is tough! While Alan was ankle-deep in manure in the results hut, I was doing my best to foul things up on the outside. Quite how the poor C-team managed to crash, burn and disappear without trace remains a mystery to many, and I apologise to Tom Fordyce for his haywire day. The lad took it all in good grace.
Wonderful to see DA back with a bang, to somewhat erase the grisly image of his wrecked body limping round Sutton Park in April. And after a near four-year hiatus since his cracking 4th place in the Surrey League at Putney Vale, Padraic shows he’s still a man with all the moves. But of most importance is that Mission-120’s trophy count is up and running with immediate effect. What will be our final tally? Seven titles remains the benchmark for “Dreamland”… Who will add to their man-of-the-match awards? Who will join them? Here’s a reminder of the 22 winners from the last 32 races:
4 wins: Phil Wicks
3 wins: Jon Blackledge, Lee Greatorex
2 wins: Mark Miles, David Anderson, Tim Watson, Tom Ellacott
1 win: Tom Hadfield, Karl O’Connell, Will Cockerell, Paul Freary, Pete Willis, Knut Hegvold, Stephen Sharp, Mal Byansi, Mike Trees, Hassan Raidi, Alaster Stewart, John Charles, Harry Corbett, Erwin McRae, Warren Lynch.
(First man to join them for this season: Padraic Buckley, by a whisker over Bodin and Fallenius.)
Pat Mead was in nostalgic mood yesterday, as Wimbledon Park is where Alan first asked her out to the movies all those years ago. I was interested to hear which film they went to see, since it was one of the catalysts to a perfect marriage. The synopsis in my Film Guide reads: “The adventures of a pregnant Salford teenager, her sluttish mother, black lover and homosexual friend.” Romantic stuff indeed – must go and rent “A Taste of Honey” at my local Blockbuster.
Coming attractions:
Sat. September 23: Southern 6-stage at Rushmoor Arena, Aldershot. Many people’s favourite road-relay – always a brilliant and exciting afternoon’s racing.
Sat. October 7: Surrey Cross-country League, race 1. It’s here! It’s back! We won the league in 2000 and 2002. Herne Hill would love to hold on to the title… Thames want it back…but not us much as us. Please pen the scenic delights of Brockwell Park into your diaries now.
