“Sweatshop” Men’s Surrey CC League Division One Match Three, Petersham, Richmond Park

Young Belgravians head the league with a match to go

As the seniors prepared for their event they were heartened to see a resounding victory in the Youth’s race by our YA Captain Dale Seddon. A pupil at Alleyn’s School, Dale has often run well for us in NYAL steeplechases and last we were able to see what he can do “over the country”. He led his team to second place on the day but overall our Youths head the league – and may well be our only league champions at the end of the winter.

There were no surprises in the men’s race as all the teams in the top half of the competition ended the day in their expected positions. The snowy conditions of the preceding days had cleared but after a heavy overnight frost the ground had only just about thawed for the earlier events and by the time the senior men set out at 3pm, a silvery rime was once again stiffening every blade of grass.

Nursing a tight hamstring, Stephen Sharp looked every inch a winner with only half the distance gone. He was some 15 metres up on Reigate’s Junior International Ed Prickett as they set out on the second circuit and without over extending himself, Stephen gradually increased his lead to about 50 metres and eased through the funnel with no trouble from his “niggle”. Will Cockerell was always our second man but with spikes scrunching on the crisp surface he found himself under attack from Roger Alsop as the finish neared, Roger running to his best ever position in the league. Will is now the clear leader in the Plate Competition.

In his first ever run for as as a harrier, 21 year-old Tim Bayley gave the team a boost by coming home just outside the top 20 – superb running from a 21.81/200m, 47.52/400m man. But then he started off his athletics as an 800 metre running schoolboy and now has plans to return to the two lap event with cross country providing some key winter conditioning. Coached by Jon Bigg and with a second place in the Sussex League already under his belt, Tim’s return to the track in a few months time should be worth watching.

Veteran Phil Carstairs was delighted to get into the scoring ten again. A few months ago, with seemingly never ending knee troubles, he had given up all idea of ever returning to our main team and was even wondering whether he’d have to quit running altogether. It was also a pleasure to see Stephen Kennefick back in action, having strung together some weeks of good training, and the team was closed in by Mike Webb – how often he has filled that role for us.

1 Thames H&H 176; 2 Herne Hill H 226; 3 Belgrave H 323; 4 South London H 461; 5 Ranelagh H 528; 6 Guildford & Godalming AC 552; 7 Reigate Priory AC 558; 8 Aldershot F&D AC 584; 9 Dulwich Runners 687.

After three matches: 1 Thames H&H 550; 2 Herne Hill H 672; 3 Belgrave H 1061; 4 South London H 1336; 5 Ranelagh H 1558; 6 Aldershot F&D AC 1567; 7 Reigate Priory AC 1704; 8 Guildford & Godalming AC 1854; 9 Dulwich Runners 1983.

1 S.Sharp (Belgrave) 28:23; 2 E.Prickett (Reigate) 28:39; 3 S.Major (SLH) 28:51; 10 W.Cockerell 29:45; 11 R.Alsop 29:49; 21 T.Bayley 30:23; 24 R.Tubbs 30:41; 34 K.Hegvold (M40) 31:19; 37 S.Kennefick 31:30; 58 S.Zealey 32:39; 73 P.Carstairs (M40) 33:17; 77 M.Webb 33:29; 80 L.Catley 33:38; 84 R.Marcus 33:52; 106 G.Reid (M40) 34:59; 155 E.Asiedu 44:24.

Under 17/Under 15. 1 South London H 51; 2 Belgrave H 66; 3 Ranelagh H 84; 4 Herne Hill H 102; 5 Guildford & Godalming AC 112.

After three matches: 1 Belgrave H 131; 2 South London H 261.5; 3 Herne Hill H 295; 4 Ranelagh H 301.5; 5 Guildford & Godalming AC 359.5; 6 Dulwich R 414.

1 D.Seddon (Belgrave U17) 16:58; 2 D.Hooper (SLH U15) 17:45; 3 R.Sim (Ranelagh U15) 18:15; 9 P.Cowling (U17) 19:29; 10 R.Collier (U17) 19:30; 15 D.Stephens (U15) 20:33; 16 finished.

Under 13. 1 South London H 18; 2 Guildford & Godalming AC 69.5; 3 Ranelagh H 86; 4 Belgrave H 12.

After three matches: 1 South London H 59; 2 Guildford & Godalming AC 275.5; 3 Ranelagh H 276; 4 Belgrave H 293; 5 Dulwich R 411.5.

1 P.Humphrey (SLH) 17:17; 2 N.Farrell (SLH) 17:52; 3 D.Bassett (SLH) 18:33; 6 T.Ashby 19:16; 14 finished.

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