"Sweatshop" Surrey Cross Country League, Race 4, Coulsdon

Little Joe takes U13 league title

There was no drama on Farthing Downs and Herne Hill Harriers, who have turned out winning teams right through the series, made certain of their first Surrey League win in a generation.

For the Bels there were two gems. First of all Joseph Taylor-Holland ran an inspired race to take an Under 13 win - and combined with his forward placings in the previous three races this gave him the title of best individual in his age group. Well done to him!

The other was the pleasure of seeing David Anderson in racing mode once again. He tore away from the start, heading up the long slope to the cafe on the hill, with Mike Trees in tow, as if he meant to break away from the field. On the return to complete the first lap, Reigate's Paul Rodgers was two metres ahead of David while our second scorer was still Mike, 20 metres ahead of the Skipper. But Mike was already suffering: due to race a duathlon the following week he ran the first part of the race very fast to simulate a 5k followed by a bike ride. Will and Tom Ellacott were making up much ground now while up front Rodgers had got away from David, who then found himself being attacked by Herne Hill's Ian Lockett.

And so we ran out fourth - and ended up third overall. Our new Vice Captain David Anderson seemed a little disappointed - but with only a month's training behind him it hinted at huge possibilities for the big events on the horizon. Will's claim on the Cross Country Plate is now unassailable and he doesn't even have to turn out for the "National" to hold on to his prize - though we'll bet he does. Truly, nobody seems to be able to beat the Cockerpillar and his triumphant tour around Parliament Hill will be his 30th consecutive "Plate Run."

1 P Rodgers (Reigate P) 27:59; 2 D Anderson (Belgrave) 28:07; 3 I Lockett (Herne H) 28:13; 14 W Cockerell 29:18; 20 M Trees M40 29:38; 22 T Ellacott 29:43; 26 P Willis 30:03; 41 T Weeks 31:01; 43 W Lynch 31:07; 53 M Humphrey 31:37; 59 J Webb 31:59; 84 S Ryan 33:40; 86 M Taylor M40 33:58; 98 J Lynch 35:31; 105 R Norville 36:04; 118 H Corbett 38:45; 124 L Rehn 40:56.

Teams: 1 Herne H 151; 2 Thames H&H 262; 3 South L 313; 4 Belgrave 343; 5 Guildford &G 474; 6 Reigate P 550; 7 Kingston &P 550; 8 Walton 597.

Final League positions: 1 Herne H 684; 2 Thames H&H 949; 3 Belgrave H 1351; 4 South L 1416; 5 Guildford &G 1892; 6 Reigate P 2034; Kingston &P 2206; 8 Walton 2428.

Under 13. 1 J Holland-Taylor 17:21.

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