2014/15 Derby Runner XC Series – Bagworth Heath Woods

Andy Skates It!!
On Sunday morning 26 competitors from the Club lined up on the start line with 500 others for the second race in the 2014/15 Derby Runner Cross Country Series at Bagworth Heath Woods. Conditions were bright & reasonably still for what is traditionally a very muddy course. The men’s team, looking to consolidate their position at the top of the second division, were led home by a determined Andy Hawtin in 33^rd place who, on this occasion, got the better of Chris Pearson who finished just two places back in 35^th. Revelling in the heavy conditions the powerful Chappers Jnr. was next in 46^th with James Cassidy, one of many who fell in the tough conditions, next to finish in 58^th place. Gerry O’Brien ran well for 63^rd place before there was something of a gap to Chappers Snr. in 105^th & Colin Mee in 109^th. Stuart Halsey, making a really welcome return to racing action after injury, completed the scoring finishers for the Club with an excellent 138^th place finish. Providing great support were Simon Reynolds, Adrian Middleton & Andy Orme who finished in 144^th, 148^th & 157^th places respectively. Adrian’s performance was probably his best race for the Club and is worthy of a special mention. The fast finishing Steve Leafe was next to cross the line in 176^th just getting the better of another returning from injury, Christian Glover, in 184^th. Ray Udall gave his usual 100% effort in finishing in 219^th before the evergreen Steve Fowler managed to hold off the improving Paul Glover and the returning Mark Nixon, in 228^th, 230^th & 232^nd places respectively. The battling Gary Price was next in 242^nd before another really tight inter-club battle between Dave Renshaw & Steve Tempest, with the younger Dave’s 283^rd place just edging it from Steve’s 284^th. The redoubtable Richard Ward completed the men’s finishers for the Club with an excellent 300^th place finish.
Women’s Club Champion designate, Christina Cooper, continued her excellent season long form when finishing in a superb 7^th place in the women’s race. Tracey Glover gave her all to finish in 47^th place with cross country debutant, Jenny Tattersall, adapting well to the 5.7 mile course to finish in 123^rd.. Linda Mason completed the team finishers in 172^nd place with the resolute Linda Tempest completing the club’s finishers in 178^th place.