EAST YORKS CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE

North Dalton 14^th January 2007 

The North Dalton leg of the East Yorkshire Cross Country League is undoubtedly the least demanding race in the calendar and therefore the least enjoyable, which may explain in part the lacklustre display by the Viking Striders on Sunday.  Simon Griffin, Giles Harris and Martin Midgley all fought their way into top 20 positions, but despite the perfect conditions the rest of the team had something of an off day and so slipped a place to fourth in the overall table.

Julie Masterman was well up for the ladies as usual, but the team still languish in 6^th position as they continue their ploy of lulling the opposition into a false sense of security.  With only two races to go it might be time to go to Plan B. 

There were however two causes for optimism in the performances of David Byas and Terry Davies.  David has been training with the Striders for some time but this was his first cross country race under their banner, showing an impressive turn of speed as he finished only two seconds outside the scoring positions (the first six in each team count for points).Terry has been with the club less than a week but is already throwing himself into racing events.  After a glittering career with City of Hull he has come back to the sport after a long layoff through injury, but he has a set of personal bests most of the Striders can only dream about and if he can steer clear of further injury he will do very well, certainly in the veteran categories. 

Striders positions and times:
Men: 7^th Simon Griffin 33.35, 14^th Giles Harris 35.10, 16^th Martin Midgley 35.22, 34^th Dave Hanney 37.37, 42^nd Alan Bexon 38.22, 44^th Martin Booth 38.34, 45^th David Byas 38.36, 53^rd Mark Thompson 39.44, 56^th Nigel Warner 39.56, 76^th Dave Ryan 41.46, 78^th Neil Bentley 41.58, 81^st Terry Davies 42.45, 89^th Richard Anness 44.10, 91^st Ray Smith 44.32, 100^th Richard Bramham 46.11. 

Ladies:  8^th Julie Masterman 40.05, 21^st Kay Ryan 44.51, 39^th Sandy Midgley 52.09, 43^rd Michaela Shepherd 54.21, 45^th Marina Booth 55.29, 49^th Jo Mouncey 59.23.