Sunday August 7
Two years ago when Tony first posted Meerbrook as part of the Series, we looked at the course and were afraid. The result was that most of us started conservatively and found we could handle, and even enjoy, it. Nevertheless it is hard, there is a lot of climbing, it would be interesting, Andy, to see one of your charts comparing it with other races. The reaction to its return this year was positive, but the numbers were the lowest of the 16 races to date. A few opted for Sale 10, whose profile is at the opposite end of the spectrum, but runners who would have scored well here were absent, I just think it is a date when many are on holiday, or have family commitments. The positive was a potential points bonanza, unless you were in League 4 which provided 10 of the 25 runners.
Damian, as in 2009, was 2nd. Tom was 7th., Andrew Whittingham was 14th.and Mike Hill 22nd.
Christine was first Wilmslow lady followed by Janine and Angela. Then came Carolyn, another good performance on the hills, Catriona (how’s your year of not competing going?), Huma, Soraya (perhaps suffering from post-holidays fatigue), Sarah and Gail.
This is very much an Ian Smallwood course but whilst he scored his third win of the season (unsurprisingly Mow Cop and Bluebell were the others) he was pushed by the ever-improving Paul Garnett. Steve, Jon and ,an out of sorts, Gareth picked-up good League 3 points in a thin turn-out.
Christine had an excellent day, in addition to the Ladies she notched-up a first League 4 win. Patrick also finished ahead of league-leader Geoff. Janine reversed the result of Andre’s Bramhall challenge yesterday.
Perhaps a risky strategy, but I decided to see if I could gain a bit of ground in the first 1½k before we started to climb. It seemed to work, only Angela of my rivals was ahead at the top and I overtook her on the way down. Curtis never caught us but Owen came past just before the 7k mark. This is where you turn to go back. It was now up to Angie, could she put enough distance between herself, and Owen and I, on the 6k climb back to the stop to prevent us blasting her over the final 2k downhill. She answered with probably the best I’ve seen her run, we didn’t stand a chance. James took me at 11k and Owen at 12k. Owen caught him on the way down but, as at Moonraker, James led me in. Huma appears to have run within herself.
Chris did not match his strength on other hilly courses but nevertheless took his tenth League 5 victory. Carolyn’s 59 points were her best score of the Series and Cat’s going well. Soraya’s been quietly picking-up good scores all year but has missed the last few races. Sarah has always been better on the hills and Gail’s luxuriating in all the points she’s collected.
Gail, Carolyn and Chris have still all run every race. Janine and Angela both have 15.
Soraya Mason, Huma Rahman and Christine Geraghty are the names added to the 2011 T-shirt and mug whose number now total 44.
The 2011 championship already belonged to Damian, he now has 11 wins. Malcolm, Jim and Trevor remain 2, 3,4. Tom moves above Andrew, who himself overtakes Graham MacNeil . They are followed by Mike, Graham Screawn and Tony. Paul Garnett goes ahead of Rob Gilbert who is followed by Andy Watts, Paul Norris and Aron. Patrick and Jon overtake Gareth. Geoff, Andy Dodd and Janine maintain order. Christine comes onto the leader-board at 22nd. ahead of Kate and John. Owen and Ian both go ahead of Chris. Angela moves above Steve Russell and Peter Bream. James Gowin overtakes Carolyn and she, Alan. Huma comes in at 33rd. and Soraya at 35th. Great news for Gail who leapfrogs both Simon and Roy. Nina, Trevor and Julie are unchanged but Sarah Miles moves ahead of Peter Watson.
Janine retains her leadership of the Ladies League but Christine, with her qualifying seventh race, is now on her shoulder. Kate and Angela move down a place with Soraya coming-in at 5th. and Huma at 6th. Carolyn, Nina, Julie and Sarah are unchanged.
Paul Garnett moves to within a point of Tony in League 3, Andy Watts is third. Aron, Paul Norris, Jon and Gareth complete those who have qualified but Ian Smallwood is on the threshold and Mick and James threaten.
Geoff, Patrick and Andrew hold the top three places in League 4 with Christine coming-in at 4th. Janine, Kate, John, Steve and Peter are unchanged. Owen and Angela take-back the places Ian won from them at Pie & Peas. Huma comes-in at 14th.between James and Don.
Chris seems to be heading-off Alan’s challenge in League 5. Soraya has pushed Simon off the podium and Carolyn has gone ahead of Peter. Roy, Nina, Gail, Trevor, Julie and Sarah are unchanged.
Ian