BADGERS ON TOP FORM AT BAGWORTH XC

The fourth instalment of the league cross country season saw Badgers field an impressive 51 athletes at the challenging 6.2-mile Bagworth meeting as the men’s team sought to re-establish their lead at the top of Division One having conceded ground to their principal rivals West End Runners from Leicester at the last meeting at Bradgate Park in December. The ladies side went into the race lying second in Division Two with the mixed team’s fortunes mirroring those of the men’s side.

Skipper Adi Payne was able to call upon many of his regular lieutenants as the action got underway with Ryan Bennett back in the fold after uniquely making his mark here twelve months ago and it was the 27-year-old kebab shop mogul who led the club home in a gutsy 7^th place overall after a heavy mileage week. Aaron Chetwynd was next home in 9^th spot as he bids to become only the fourth person to chalk up a half century of league appearances for the club. The strength in depth of Badgers has been the stand-out characteristic in recent times and this was no more clearly borne out as four runners finished in successive places from 16^th to 19^th inclusive. Club stalwarts Danny Warren and Chris Horton both gave superb performances after several weeks on the side-lines before key man Neil Russell and Jason Molloy powered home to put a real dent in West End’s hopes of victory. Six men in the top 20 was a superb feat and captain Payne continued his own improving form of late by grabbing 24^th place before Sam Starkey became the final counter in one of his best runs to date, taking a tremendous 35^th place in the race.

Neil Clemons ran a terrific race to finish 55^th which in any other team would represent a significant scorer but such was the prowess of his team-mates before him, he found himself 9^th man back ahead of fellow stars Mark Cox and veteran Jimmy Dewis who both enjoyed high finishes in 77^th and 87^th place respectively. Simon Gilbert pipped Matt Green at the death with marathon legend Matt Tonks enjoying a gentle jaunt back ahead of new boy Graham Engley and the determined Cameron Barnes. Ian Orton battled hard in front of his two biggest fans while vice-captain Roland Bulgington smashed it out of the park once again in typical belligerent fashion. Veterans Dave Jenkinson, Rob Crow and Paul Grubb all did well with Simon Currier getting home ahead of young Tobey Brain and a weakened David Earp. Richard Chester pipped fellow V55 star Dave Jarvis to the line with the experienced Eamon Thawley, Rob Frost and Ian Jackson all getting home.

The ladies had to make do without the inspirational Cheryl Dewis who was sadly ruled out with illness, but Monika Lampart was back in action and more than able to lead the side home in her absence finishing in a very respectable 24^th place. Once again, it was the old guard to the rescue as first Nivette Chester (33^rd) and then Esther Holyoak (43^rd) got home with fellow veteran Bernie Bowman powering home impressively in 66^th spot. Emma Masser was strong once again as she bagged a healthy 72^nd place and Steph White ran sensibly for 83^rd place as she shows no signs of slowing down. Pip Weston also penetrated the top 100 with a classy run and newcomer Katy Clemons produced an impressive finish in her first season with the club. Sharon Jackson stole the show with her bright attire and ladies captain Sarah Jane Chetwynd continued her rise to prominence with another quality run. Marathon ace Liz Peel led home a string of ladies including Mandi Stain, Jo Davies, Ann-Marie Currier and Vicky Cawley with veteran Gail Gunn showing great fortitude to finish 194^th. Sam Klucis was next home with a brave display before Nicola Stanley did battle with the mud for the first time ahead of Dawn Cross, Lesley Palmer and Lisa Barnes. Baking ace Maggi Savin-Baden completed the course which meant that Badgers not only boosted their hopes of honours but were able to field a side containing not just one but TWO University professors, a feat believed to be hitherto unmatched on a weather-wise dismal day.

In the junior’s race, Matt Jackson made his cross-country debut in superb style, bagging a tremendous 6^th place. The majority of runners he competed against had previous multi terrain experience so to break into the top ten on debut shows what great potential this young man has. Young Mia Cox, daughter of the legendary hard-hitting, floor-fitting Mark Cox, also made her cross-country debut putting in a great effort in miserable conditions.

Away from the league action, Andy Smith and Holly Matts found themselves competing in the Cannock Chase Trig Points event, both successfully completing the 17-mile course while at Draycote Water, battling Dave Buck was first Badger back in 62:07 ahead of Anne-Marie Matthews who clocked 70 minutes dead for the 10K race around the reservoir there.

At parkrun, Badgers enjoyed a trio of success stories with first place finishers in three locations. At Long Eaton, Chris Baxter took the tape along with some serious kudos as he finished first in 16:57 on what is one of the fastest courses in the Midlands and as a result regularly attracts a high standard of competition. At Bedworth, a bloodied Chris Horton (17:57) romped to another first place despite suffering the ignominy of being inadvertently shunted into a thorn bush half a kilometre from the finish, his winning margin of 48 seconds enough for him to absorb such a shock. Esther Holyoak was second lady back in 23:18 with Karen Thompson and Anne-Marie Matthews also featuring.

Sam Starkey became the third victor of the weekend, this time at his home territory of Kingsbury Water Park. The recently turned 40-year-old showed the 552 strong field a clean pair of heels as he stormed to an eight second win in 18:28, his fourth success at the venue. Mark Repton ran a course best 19:13 in 5^th place ahead of nine times winner Matt Tonks (19:34 – 6^th). Young Matt Jackson ran a rapid 20:03 as Badgers filled the top ten, Matt Green (20:12) narrowly missing out in 11^th place. Tim Gould (20:22) was next through ahead of David Craig, John Restall and Chris Upton. Rachael Shelton was 5^th lady overall in a spritely 23:39. Cameron Barnes ran alongside Liz Peel, Sarah Vine, Sharon Jackson, Fiona Meldrum, Terry Argyle, Leesa Dennis and the up and coming Evie Whitehead. Yvonne Feasey, Amy Stredder, Paul Restall, Nicola Stanley, Amanda Gould, Teresa Satchell, Jo Hardy, Lisa Barnes and Nicola Orton all got round safely. Joanne Haddon and Helen Smith also ran.

John Hanson was in fine form once more as he finished 15^th at Rosliston parkrun in a course best time for the V55 star. Other runners included Mandy Hanson, Vikki Smith, Anne Devenney and Helen Morgan. At Bushy, where it all began, Jenna Davies and Paul Cooper made the pilgrimage to the home of parkrun while at the fledgling Fire Service College parkrun near Moreton-in-Marsh, Eamon Thawley led the way along with Jared Karim, Richard Hill, Alan Argyle, Karen Missen and Yvonne Faulkner following behind the Grendon-based nobleman and contractor. Jonathan Davies featured at Worcester while Adam and Eileen McElhone both made the journey to Perry Hall parkrun in Birmingham.