After the toils and efforts of four rounds of cross country races , it all came down to one final race . Medals of all colours were hanging in the balance . One final effort …….one last push through the mud and woods of Woodbank Park.
The ladies went first and were brought home by Captain Kate who had an awesome run for 13th !!
Jo Aves put in another fine effort and Catriona and Penny completed the team . All have put in a super set of performances over the series : well done to the four of you .
Sadly , we only had three vets and our hopes of a team medal disappeared .
This though was the first season for the ladies in the M&D League and under the excellent stewardship of Captain Kate they should all be proud of their efforts .
The men started the day in third place overall behind Sale (1st) , Trafford( 2nd) but ahead of Salford (4th). We had been in the same position the previous year only to fail at the final hurdle and see Salford leapfrog us.
If the medals were handed out for numbers alone , we would be home and dry . A record nineteen men made the start line look like a Wilmslow carnival , a mass of blue and yellow.
Mike Halman had the bit between his teeth and had his best place of the season : 3rd .
Malcolm was a doubt in the week having had a fall but after a cautious start , made up ground to finish just outside the top ten .
Our remaining counters were Tom, Stuart , Rob and Jim , all placing well inside the top 30.
The ever improving Jeff Capper again picked up places throughout and was just behind Jim with the youthful Ray Eagle in hot pursuit .
Until the full results appear on www.bbresults.com ,the order of the next finishers is tbc but Rob Elstone , Bill Heaton , Ian Smallwood , Trevor Morris , Gavin Mendham , Jo Nuttall , Mark Bale , Steve Dempsey, Geoff Gilbert , Ian Ashcroft and Trevor Faulkner all played their part in ensuring that we had Wilmslow vests ahead of the rest .
Chairman Roy , Tony and Simon were out to give support as were the ladies team . Always appreciated .
Nothing more could be done . Over five races we had battled through mud , and up and down dale . We now had to wait for the officials to calculate the results . Finally they were out :
1st Senior team : Sale .
2nd Senior team : Trafford
3rd Senior team : Wilmslow
In a strong league , what a great effort to push Salford out of the medals .
Having grabbed third Senior men, veterans placings came next :
Ist Veterans team : Wilmslow
And so to individuals .
Senior men :
3rd : Mike Halman.
Veteran men:
1st V40. Malcolm Fowler
3rd V40. Stuart Parrot
2nd V50.Tom McGaff
1st V55.Gavin Mendham
And so the M&D season is over and congratulations to both mens and womens teams for the outstanding results .
As previously outlined , the date for the end of season hot pot supper is tbc but will be after Thursday night training .
Tony may also have details of training tops for the XC teams for next season .
Very well done to all and be proud of your performances !
Nick.