ATHLETICS REPORT

by Christine Yavari

RORY Smith, of Wirral AC, came away with a gold medal when competing in the Northern Cross Country Championships at Heaton Park, Manchester. He won the Under-13 boys' race, in which he also led the Wirral AC team to victory.

Rory finished in a time of 11 minutes 32 seconds, leading the team to a 12 point victory over second placed Liverpool Harriers. Also counting in the team were Trevor Merrick (21st), Richard Cavell (23rd) and Ian Revell (39th). They were supported by Matthew Strange (52nd) and Graham Benzen (68th).

The Under-17 men's team came through to take the bronze medal, despite having a much weakened team due to injury and illness. First up for Wirral was Ben Cooke in ninth place, followed by Stephen Edwards (34th), Andrew Baddeley (42nd) and Paul Rawlinson (61st). Just off the team count were Joe Barber (65th) and Ben Culligan (70th).

The Under-15 boys' team were 10th out of 33 teams competing. Making up the team for Wirral AC were Mark Watson (57th), Matthew Rose (58th), David Byrne (74th) and Tim Holsgrove (89th).

In the Senior men's race, Wirral AC's team came home in 27th place out of 79, being the third local team behind Liverpool Harriers and Liverpool Pembroke, but ahead of CEPAC. Tony Devoy finished 176th, Peter Kilgallon 227th, Alan Hayes 232nd, Mark Morris 269th, John Peerless 384th and Nick Lindesay 413th.

The Junior men's team, who won the event last year, were favourites to be placed this year, but because of illness Wirral AC were unable to field a full team. Despite the handicap there were excellent runs from Paul Howarth and Chris Lindesay, in sixth and eight place respectively, and Phil Peerless (66th).

In the female events, Wirral AC were able to finish only one team, in the Under-15 girls' race. Wirral came 21st out of 25 teams, with counters Helen Rogers finishing 77th, Vicki Rooney 124th, Sarah McDonnell 136th and Laura Williams 177th.

For the Under-13 girls, Emily Shepherd was 67th and Lisa Taylor 189th, while in the Under-17 women's race there were only two finishers for Wirral - Ellie Yavari (53rd) and Jennie Alison (79th).

The next major Cross Country Championship is the National, to be held at Leeds in March.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.