Oxford mail Cross country

The penultimate round of the Oxford Mail Cross Country League was held at Harwell on Sunday.  The day started well in the U9’s race with Edgar Dumbreck 2^nd and Richie Mack 4^th in the boys race, and Frankie Scrivener 4^th in the girls.  The U11 girls race saw Tilly Lainchbury on good form in 5^th place and Tilly Eskender 45^th, and in the boys race Ruben Snelson held on well for 5^th, Archie Street 18^th, Thomas Gaskell 29^th, Miles Taylor 40^th and Adam Gaskell 41^st.  Henry Pollock was 12^th for the U13 Boys, and Shannon Gilkes 25^th for the U13 Girls.

Once the races got to the older age groups the big hill was added to the courses, which consisted of 15 steps and a very steep section to test legs and lungs.  The U15/17 Girls went up it once, and showing some strength from previous races Jenny Hannah was a hard fought second in the U17’s, and Naomi Dibb 11^th, Franziska Bucher 14^th and Lizzie Eskender 18^th in the U15’s to give them 5^th team place.

The U15/17 Boys were sent up the hill twice, and earning themselves a 2^nd team place Skip Snelson was 1^st, Owen Knox 3^rd and Dan Reid 19^th.

The Senior Ladies race saw just 3 Banbury Harriers out, but with their usual great team spirit were placed 5^th.  Ros Kelling 17^th (2^nd V45), Michelle Bartlett 21^st (3^rd V45) and Lisa Ansell, showing a great turn of speed at the finish was 71^st.

The Senior Mens race saw the usual large numbers out, and frustratingly had to queue for the steps if they weren’t near the front.  Escaping the melee Tim Wright had another good run for 6^th place, and 2^nd overall senior man in the league with a chance of first with a good last run in March.  Simon Pritchard was 76^th, Jonny Carruthers 198^th, Phil Coy 220^th, Neil Forbes 222^nd and Glyn Pritchard 230^th. 

Ros