Winter season closes on a high

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 ½ 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

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