Shrewsbury Athletic Club runners concluded their second season in the North Staffordshire Cross Country League, competing in the final fixture at Rodbaston College, Penkridge. Having gained promotion from Division 2 to Divison 1 in their first season, the Club finished third in Division 1 this season, losing out on second place by only 5 points. A strong turnout, with 6 runners in the first 25, the team were led home by Matt Hall, with another superb podium finish in 3rd place, with James Hickinbottom 13th, Paul Jones 15th , Pete Middleton 20th, Charlie Rogers 22nd and Rob Fox 25th completing the team scorers. Individual honours on the day went to Graham Jones 1st Veteran Over 60, Pete Savill 1st Veteran Over 65, Paul Jones 2nd Veteran Over 45 and Kevin Francis 2nd Veteran Over 50. Pete Savill was Over 65 champion for the Series. The Women's team were represented by Grace Hough who finished 161st in 39/27 on the day and 3rd Lady Veteran Over 65 and finished Over 65 Women's champion for the Series.
Rodbaston Results:
3 Matt Hall 26/59, 13 James Hickinbottom 28/49, 15 Paul Jones 28/53(2nd Veteran Over 45), 20 Pete Middleton 29/15, 22 Charlie Rogers 29/17, 25 Rob Fox 29/24, 28 Steve Waters 29/36, 47 Luke Butler 30/37, 49 Will Preston 30/47, 69 Kevin Francis 31/29(2nd Veteran Over 50), 116 Simon Cole 33/47, 126 Graham Jones 34/17(1st Veteran Over 60), 152 Pete Savill 36/19(1st Veteran Over 65), 186 Andy Lewis 38/24.
Attention now turns to the final two fixtures of the North Wales Cross Country League at Northrop on Saturday 12th January and Oswestry on Saturday 2nd February, with the side currently leading the Series and looking to retain their Series crown for the fourth consecutive season.
Kevin Francis and Pete Savill have been selected to represent the England Age Group Masters 10K Team at the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham 10K in May, following their performances at the Telford 10K qualifying race, where Pete Savill was 2nd Veteran Over 65 and Kevin Francis 5th Veteran Over 50.
Photo. Grace Hough.
