Gwent League #4 – Chepstow: u15 and u17 boys
Emma Withers reports…
With several of our team away at the South West Schools in Bournemouth we needed a good turnout to keep our team ranked positions and the u15 and u17 boys did not disappoint. 14 boys turned out for the Bristol and West hosted Gwent League at Chepstow.
Leading our u15 boys home, Amos Kingston had his best run to date, enjoying the undulating course and realising that with a little more effort in training that he could be a top 10 contender. Finishing in 12th position, (13.53). Misha Evans made a determined effort, particularly on the tough uphill home stretch, finishing in 22nd place (14.37). Joseph Hull, went out with gusto, but perhaps a little too fast, was third home for B&W in 33rd place (15.13) and completing the first team, Ollie Robertson Kurd, a little distracted by his watch, showing he has a lot more to give in these competitions, 37th (15.32). Leading our second team in, a battle between team mates Ismail Rashid and Tomek Czerepinski, gave an entertaining finish with Ismail only just pipping Tomek over the line, 40th (15.49) and 42nd place (15.53) respectively. Zac Roe who had already completed football training that morning, in 49th position (16.38) and our most consistent runner, Joe McNamara, completed the second team in 57th position, (18.04). Our 9th runner, Fred Cummins, was unable to complete the course due to painful knees, but did a sterling job cheering and encouraging his team mates around.
The u15 boys have moved up to 5th position overall.
The u17 boys had a long wait until 2.10pm and plenty of time to study the course. Starting out strongly Jay Akbar, glad that there was no mud this week, glided around and finished in 14th place, (18.13). The battle for 2nd in the team between good friends, Otto Kingston and James Casling, made for another exciting finish, with James putting in his fast sprint on the hilly home stretch. The hills were on Otto’s side this time and he maintained his lead, 26th place (19.34), James in 27th place (19.38). Jacob Roe, hot on their heels, finishing only 2 seconds behind in 38th place (19.40). A debut run for newcomer Dylan Peters showed a fantastic start to cross country competition, in 40th place (20.12). Dylan said he enjoyed it and we hope he will be back for our last fixture in Swansea.
The u17 boys were very pleased to hold their 2nd position overall.
Massive thank you to Steve Grant, Keith Brackstone and Roger Brocklesby for setting up the course and providing us with a great cross country run and brilliant facilities. No complaints from the junior boys, particularly as the teenagers got an unusual and much appreciated lie in!!