Surrey Women's CC League Division 1, Race 3, Richmond Park

Another close thing - but now it's three wins out of three

Yet another successful cross country race for the Belles, with the senior team winning their third successive league match and poised to take the league title with just one match to go. The Belles have managed to go unbeaten for the past five cross country races, with the Priory relays, the Surrey Champs and the three league matches now under their belt.

On the first small lap round the woods the Belles were placed back in 3rd position with Ranelagh in the lead and SLH again featuring in the mix. Our athletes tend towards the longer endurance distances, so this wasn't a surprise and we were confident that places would be gained over the second longer lap down towards the pond and back.

Juliette Clark was the first Belle home in 9th gaining 7 places on lap 2, including that of team mate Tilly Heaton who was just pipped into 10th on the final climb. A pleasant surprise returning to the team was Anne Hegvold, back from injury and the arrival of baby Selma. Anne took the first lap easy as she rediscovered her previous racing form then pushed hard on the 2nd lap, again pulling a few places forward. Welcome back Anne!

Vicki Edwards also surprised both herself and the supporters. A solid road runner and triathlete, it has been many years since Vicki raced over the country and to say she was looking forward to it was an understatement. Based in the Midlands now, Vicki travelled down to help out the team and proved that she has nothing to fear in future cross country races. Our 5th scorer also excelled on the Richmond Park course, with Helen Smethurst pushing herself hard to come back in 24th place.

The B team also produced some good performances with Louise Cooper and Syreeta Stracey just missing out on the A team in 26th and 28th place. Rosie Powell had a struggle coping with the mud of Richmond Park preferring the solidity of the road and track.

Louise Collier in the U17's race showed a pleasing return to form, being only the second U17 home and third overall. Given she still has another year in this age group, this is a highly promising development.

Likewise, in the junior races, the Colliers managed to turn out 3 athletes, our best team so far this season. Well done to Victoria Clark in the U13 race placing 21st and to Gemma Williams and Chloe Sanders, neither of whom are normally endurance athletes, placing 14th and 18th respectively in the U15 race. Keep up the good work girls.

1 M.Pannett (Dulwich R) 20:47; 2 A.O'Neill (Ranelagh) 20:58; 3 E.Nelson (Epsom & Ewell) 21:33; 4 D.Lee (Thames H&H) 21:48; 5 S.Seal (Ranelagh) 21:49; 6 E.Latto (Herne Hill) 21:54; 7 C.Evans (South London) 21:55; 8 L.Crawford (South London) 22:06; 9 J.Clark (Belgrave) 22:14; 10 M.Heaton (Belgrave) 22:20; 15 A. Hegvold W35 22:38; 21 V.Edwards 22:57; 24 H.Smethurst W35 23:19; 26 L.Cooper 23:25; 28 S.Stracey 23:39; 38 H.Alsop 24:23; 46 R.Powell U20 24:59; 87 N.Mills W55 29:35.

1 Belgrave (9, 10, 15, 21, 24) 79 - 1st after three races with 171

2 Ranelagh (2, 5, 13, 18, 43) 81 - 3rd 251

3 South London (7, 8, 20, 22, 25) 82 - 2nd 201

4 Herne Hill (6, 12, 14, 17, 49) 98 - 4th 384

5 Dulwich R (1, 11, 35, 42, 61) 150 - 5th 478

6 Thames H&H (4, 16, 29, 48, 60) 157 - 7th 575

11 Belgrave B (26, 28, 38, 46, 87) 225 - 11th 793

24 teams closed in.

Under 20/Under 17. 1 A.Beverly (Ranelagh) 18:20; 3 L.Collier U17 19:23.

Under 15. 1 K.Mertens (Woking) 14:11; 14 G.Williams 16:21; 18 C.Sanders 20:34.

Under 13. 1 S.Cowper (Redhill &SB) 14:42; 21 V.Clark 17:06.

Restored from the club's earlier website, belgraveharriers.com, and published here as originally written.