Women's Surrey CC League Division One, Reigate Priory Park

It's second again for the Belles

On a freezing cold day the Belles returned to Reigate Park this time for a league rather than relay outing. Unfortunately, despite a strong team, the result was the same with the Belles finishing second yet again, this time with Ranelagh taking the glory. The gap in the league has now grown to 54 points, which although still assailable, cannot afford to get bigger in race 3.

With the course featuring a small loop down towards the pond before heading off on the usual relay route to bring it closer to 5kms, Sarah Murphy was the first Belle home in 8th position, although she did lose a few places on the steep downhill towards home. Juliette Clark had one of the better runs of the day coming home in 11th whilst a below par Tilly Heaton finished in 17th. Despite a strong outing and return to the fold from Erica Fogg and with Helen Smethurst bringing up the A team rear, our first 5 scorers home only finished in the top 28 compared to Ranelagh’s 5 in the top 15.

With a depleted junior squad appearing in the league this year, our one ray of light came in the form of U13 Megan Evans. This petite, quiet young girl has enormous strength, grit and determination over the cross country and has consistently finished at the top of her races. At Reigate she was the first U13 home just narrowly missing out on pipping the U15 winner too – much to the opposition’s consternation!

In the XC Plate competition Sarah Murphy has strengthened her lead with 2 wins out of 2. Tilly Heaton is still in second, but with previous 3rd placer Heidi Cayzer out of action through laryngitis Juliette Clark has moved into bronze medal spot.

Senior Women. 1 E Nelson (Epsom &E) 18:13; 2 D Lee (Thames H&H) 18:20; 3 L Watson (Stragglers) 18:02; 8 S Murphy 18:19; 11 J Clark W40 19:42; 17 M Heaton 19:59; 25 E Fogg 20:19; 28 H Smethurst W40 20:24; 34 A Sahely-England 20:56; 39 H Alsop W35 21:23; 55 L Cooper 22:02; 65 C Eastham 22:22; 131 N Mills W55 26:49; 153 finished.

Teams: 1 Ranelagh H 47; 2 Belgrave H 89; 3 Thames H&H 102; 4 Stragglers AC 122; 5 South London H 166; 6 West Four H 187; ... 14 Belgrave H 'B' 324; 37 teams closed in.

Overall: 1 Ranelagh H 110; 2 Belgrave H 164; 3 Thames H&H 235; 4 Wimbledon Windmilers 317; 5 South London H 355; 6 Woking AC 408; ... 13 Belgrave H 'B' 588.

Under 13. 1 M Evans 11:32.

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