Race Report Ross Cooper
Thanks to all the men who turned out for Massey Ferguson at Cofton Park on Saturday. It was a chilly day in South Birmingham, but the course had dried out to be not too muddy although still presented plenty of challenges. For consecutive races the ladies were running at the same course, and had another great showing in performances and turnout. The men’s squad was a bit depleted by injuries, so it was great to see others put in superb performances to push up the field, including best finishes for Dean and Simon Neale, and Alex Cotterill in the top 6 for the first time. With “experience” leading the pack at Stratford, it was “youth“ coming through at Cofton Park, and we have now had 9 different men in the counters after 3 races which shows great strength in depth. Our finishing score was pretty consistent with the previous 2 races, but with the B team not able to push up as close behind we last some places overall in the league. We should be pretty safe though, with another strong run in Race 4: we need as many as possible fit and firing for the final race in Cheltenham.
Another special mention must go out to all the supporters on Saturday, including the ladies who stayed behind to cheer us on. It was a challenging course but all the fantastic support made a real difference when the going got tough. Once again Massey Ferguson put other clubs in the shade with our great spirit and camaraderie, and it was good to see so many enjoying a well-earned pint in the pub afterwards.
Next race is on Saturday 10th February at Cheltenham: as previously mentioned we really need a strong field to finish the season on a high. Can you please makes sure it is in your diary! This is also the night of the awards at Massey Club, I am happy to arrange a coach as it is a longer trip but we will need to get back in decent time so car sharing may be a swifter option. I will be in touch with details, if there are decent facilities at the venue with the option of showers we could always get changed at the venue, stop for a drink on the way straight back to the club.
English Cross Country National Championships – Saturday 24th February, Parliament Hill, London
As usual, Massey Ferguson will be entering team for the “Nationals” this year at Parliament Hill, most likely followed by a night out in London. Could you please email me directly (rosstcooper@aol.com) if you would like to enter. For those who have not experienced this brilliant event before, please read the article below from the Daily Telegragh: “The Greatest Race You Have Never Heard Of”. This is only available to club runners, and the line “Another limped off in the side-line. “My spikes have come all the way through,” he explained to a passing club-mate.” – is referring to Dave Clarke on the sidelines being berated by John Hosie and me!
Full results from Saturday below:
31 288 36:50 Dean Clarke A Team
75 312 38:38 Simon Neale
98 292 39:46 Alex Cotterill
102 303 39:56 Gary Lawson
106 310 40:06 Chris Moore
111 287 40:13 Dave Clarke
131 285 40:50 Simon Brown B Team
136 315 41:03 Mick O’Shea
149 306 41:41 Jose Luis Sanchez
162 566 42:13 Nick Harwood
190 290 43:31 Ross Cooper
198 309 43:43 Alan McDougall
204 304 44:15 Dave Lee
207 321 44:26 Ian Redford
212 297 45:01 Kevin Hinson
231 311 46:40 Steve Mumford
237 324 47:20 Dean Semple
242 317 47:50 Peter Paprcka
243 301 47:58 Martin Judge
265 314 51:05 Ian O’Donnell
269 327 52:06 Martin Smith
276 318 53:31 Graham Patton
280 323 55:07 Philip Sellars
283 289 56:45 Daniel Connolly
287 320 76:56 Dave Phillips
DNF James Padvis
Senior Men Team Results
A Team
1 Worcester AC 5 12 18 20 25 27 107
2 Telford AC 2 8 13 28 30 49 130
3 Cannock&Stafford 1 6 23 32 34 36 132
4 Bournville Harriers 22 24 29 43 50 51 219
5 Halesowen A&CC 21 26 33 37 48 55 220
6 Black Pear Joggers 10 19 39 53 76 85 282
7 Bromsgrove&Redditch 35 42 58 61 68 70 334
8 Dudley & Stourbridge Harriers 14 16 17 45 137 170 399
9 C.L.C. Striders RC 3 15 74 91 116 123 422
10 Tamworth AC 9 11 40 78 140 150 428
11 Spa Striders 47 56 60 64 99 117 443
12 Stratford upon Avon AC 7 52 86 94 105 112 456
13 Gloucester AC 4 66 84 108 113 114 489
14 Northbrook AC 46 82 83 92 95 109 507
15 Massey Ferguson RC 31 75 98 102 106 111 523
16 Kings Heath Running Club 65 72 80 88 118 122 545
17 Dudley Kingswinford RC 38 63 129 158 193 213 794
B Team
1 Worcester AC 44 54 69 71 77 96 411
2 Halesowen A&CC 57 59 73 93 97 128 507
3 Bournville Harriers 67 100 104 110 115 120 616
4 Black Pear Joggers 90 119 121 124 142 152 748
5 Bromsgrove&Redditch 87 101 107 138 163 167 763
6 Stratford upon Avon AC 135 141 154 159 160 194 943
7 Massey Ferguson RC 131 136 149 162 190 198 966
8 Spa Striders 132 155 157 168 171 195 978
9 Northbrook AC 125 145 174 177 182 184 987
10 Gloucester AC 127 151 156 178 200 203 1015
11 C.L.C. Striders RC 147 161 164 175 201 215 1063
12 Kings Heath Running Club 133 186 187 191 197 205 1099
Senior Men Series Points Match 1 Match 2 Match 3 Match 4 Total
A Team
1 Telford AC 59 80 130 269
2 Worcester AC 182 128 107 417
3 Cannock&Stafford 113 179 132 424
4 Halesowen A&CC 182 186 220 588
5 Bournville Harriers 231 314 219 764
6 Black Pear Joggers 263 350 282 895
7 Bromsgrove&Redditch 375 203 334 912
8 Stratford upon Avon AC 281 340 456 1077
9 C.L.C. Striders RC 409 463 422 1294
10 Dudley & Stourbridge 515 408 399 1322
11 Tamworth AC 627 435 428 1490
12 Massey Ferguson RC 517 547 523 1587
13 Kings Heath Running Club 521 558 545 1624
14 Spa Striders 603 641 443 1687
15 Northbrook AC 624 607 507 1738
16 Gloucester AC 811 580 489 1880
17 Dudley Kingswinford RC 703 823 794 2320
B Team
1 Worcester AC 445 357 411 1213
2 Halesowen A&CC 449 481 507 1437
3 Bromsgrove&Redditch 709 473 763 1945
4 Bournville Harriers 703 835 616 2154
5 Massey Ferguson RC 871 771 966 2608
6 Black Pear Joggers 1067 802 748 2617
7 Stratford upon Avon AC 949 751 943 2643
8 Northbrook AC 1053 1111 987 3151
9 C.L.C. Striders RC 957 1217 1063 3237
10 Kings Heath Running Club 1129 1226 1099 3454
11 Spa Striders 1175 1334 978 3487
12 Telford AC 324 508 832
13 Dudley Kingswinford RC 1265 1240 2505
14 Gloucester AC 1015 1015