Ten centimetres of slushy snow made for frozen feet and treacherous racing conditions over this very challenging course at the Stowe School in northern-most Buckinghamshire. The thirty-four strong Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow Women’s Cross Country Team was one of the largest turnout’s of the Chiltern League campaign and their efforts were rewarded as the women’s team took the top honours for the second time this year. Unfortunately WSEH dropped to 2nd in the overall competition as the Men’s team, despite some great individual and age group team performances, were down in numbers and could not match their overall performance of the past two-matches. A big thanks to everyone who braved the uncertainties of the weather, the icy roads and the heavy fog to compete and support the team.
GIRLS UNDER 11 RACE REPORT:
The most impressive aspect of this young team is how they keep bringing in new runners and winning with different athletes. Yesterday WSEH witnessed their third different individual winner as newcomer Tabatha Davy won in impressive fashion and led the Girls U11 team to their third team win of the league campaign. Eugenie Cockle (2nd), Tara De Klerk (5th) and Sammy Bonney (11th) followed closely behind as the U11’s showed their value to the future of Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow girls cross country. Juliet Ehinger (19th) and Amelia Brown (26th) also turned in strong performances and a special mention for Carmen Preece who, after being sick with the flu all week, came out in the snow to support her team and finished in brave 37th place.
GIRLS UNDER 13 RACE REPORT:
Second-year U13 Felicity Johnson continues to lead the Girls U13 team as she claimed a strong third place on this very slippery course. Second year U13 Kathryn Ditton (7th), first-year U13 Alex Barbour (11th) and second-year Tilly Compton-Stewart (16th) rounded out the team scoring as the U13 Girls team claimed their second consecutive victory of the Chiltern League campaign. Once again the U13’s turned out in strong numbers to support the team as Nancy Scott (17th), Evie Higton (20th), Gemma Burgin (25th), Amy Talbot (26th), Sophie Bigmore (30th), Beth Daines (35th) and Lily West (44th) rounded out a strong WSEH effort.
GIRLS UNDER 15 RACE REPORT:
Rebecca Croft continues her see saw battle for the top spot with a strong Milton Keynes runner as she could only claim 2nd over this snowy course. Eloise Milbourne returned to form with a wonderful performance in taking 7th. Emily Reeve’s excellent 10th place and Mary-Alice Davison’s strong 11th place completed the scoring for the WSEH U15 team as they claimed a solid team victory. Ellie Wallis (13th), Izzie Fernandes (19th), Kirsty Marshall (24th), Caitlin Critchley (27th), Laura Knowles (28th) and Carla Stangroom (30th) all turned in solid performances over the difficult course.
LADIES JUNIOR / U17 REPORT:
The numbers for this group continue to struggle, but we were lucky to have our best U17 runners. Maryse Haynes’ strong effort was rewarded with a solid 9th place and Alice Wills complimented her fellow NYAL 3,000-meter track finalist’s effort with a strong 14th place. Luckily numbers were a problem across this entire age group as we were able to score with only two runners to take 4th place in this age group.
SENIOR WOMENS TEAM REPORT:
Claire Danson, Marina Stedman and Paula Hing continue to turnout for all of our Chiltern League races to give us a consistent core team. Despite some niggling injuries, first-year runner Claire Danson continues to impress with a strong 6th place. Super veteran Marina Stedman once again claimed the top veteran spot and took 8th in the overall senior race. Top track runner Dani Barnes made her WSEH Chiltern League debut to immediately contribute valuable points in 9th place. Paula Hing’s strong 59th place completed the scoring for the senior team as they took their second team victory of the campaign.
WSEH AC went into the 3rd match of the Apex sports Chiltern Cross Country League Series as league leaders, however lack of numbers in the Senior Mens Race saw them slip to 2nd place overall behind Bedford & County AC.
SENIOR MENS RACE:
Just 5 Senior athletes faced the starter with Under 20 athletes Petryu Snaip[er producing his best run to date to lead the WSEH contingent home with his 18th place. Simon millet also moved up the echelon with his 23rd spot. More WSEH Under 20 runners wedre next to appear, Nathan Ditton in 31st place and Josh Moss in 43rd. Veteran Dave Huck completed the team in 117th place.
Team Result; 1. Milton Keynes 1549pts, 13th WSEH 678pts.
Under 20 Team Result: 1. Milton Keynes 458pts, 2. WSEH 454pts.
UNDER 17 MENS RACE:
Alex Goodall was the star of the show winning his first ever Chiltern League race by a good margin. Ben Kennard also showed improved form with his 5th place as did James Tidd with his 9th place. James Watson completed the WSEH team in 19th place with Nick Cockle not far adrift in 21st.
Team Result: 1. Vale of Aylesbury 65pts, 2. WSEH 58pts.
UNDER 15 BOYS RACE:
Charlie Critchley was always with the leaders eventually settling for 3rd. Kieran Wye made a welcome return in 9th place. Jack Rowe in 13th and Gus Cockle in 15th completed the team. Greg Baynham (22nd) and Will Brennan(27th( were the other WSEH finishers.
Team result: 1. Bedford & County 130pts, 2. WSEH 116pts.
UNDER 13 BOYS RACE:
WSEH’s three runners were closely packed in mid race. Sam Critchley was 18th, Harry Purcell 20th and Harry Critchley 34th.
Team Result: 1. Milton Keynes 155pts, 5. WSEH 73pts.
Under 11 Boys Race
Best of the WSEH trio was Max O’Neill in 7th place. Dan Brookling was next home in 12th with Harry Porter on his heels in 14th.
Team Result: 1. Chiltern Harriers 86pts, 2. WSEH 63pts.
Reports by Chuck Croft and Dennis Daly
