A fine sunny day at the beginning of March meant an excellent venue at Woodbank Park, Stockport for the final fixture in the Manchester Area Cross Country League.  This is the first time for several years that this park has been used and several athletes were surprised how hilly and muddy the course was in places.

As always, U11s were the first to compete. Sebastian White 27th and Harry Armer 32nd were closely matched as usual, followed by Betsy Widdop - 22nd girl to finish.

 

Trafford had a good turnout in the U13 Boys race. Our regular first counter Thomas Daly was in Leeds competing in the English Schools Cup Final but there were some great performances in his absence. In his debut race for the club, Oscar Bundy finished an excellent 4th, one second ahead of a great run by Ethan O'Brien 5th. Not far behind were Ned Farncombe 9th, Patrick Widdop 16th, Thomas Fotheringham 21st, Sammy Cowles 25th , Daniel White 29th and Joe Bowden 42nd. This performance gave the team 2^nd place on the day and 3^rd in the series.

 

The U15 race saw a reduced turnout from Trafford athletes. Ralphie Rome ran well to finish 6th and Sam Ingleby Castleton 22nd in the boys, with Sara Smith 12^th and Beth Stanley 20^th in the girls race.

 

As usual, Trafford had a great turnout at U17 level. In the boys race, Jay Hutchinson recorded his first ever victory in this league, one second ahead of the much-improved Evan Lewis. Close behind was Tim Ye in 4^th followed by a large group of our athletes - Archie Greenwood 7th, Alfie Bundy, 9^th on Trafford debut, Theo Austin 12th, Fin Dobson Emmas 16th, Rowan Leeming 24th, Finnan Docherty 27th, Tom Harris 29th and Atticus Jones 30th. This meant that the team won on the day with our B team 2nd. Overall the A team won the League with our B team 3rd. Jay Hutchinson finished 2^nd in the league.  The U17 Girls also performed well. The ever reliable Rachel Bowden was 4th, followed by Isobel Thomas 7th, Laura Singh 12^th and Rafaella Ingleby Castleton 15th. These performances gave the girls 2^nd place on the day and an excellent 2^nd in the league.

 

The Senior Women also finished 2^nd team on the day and 2^nd in the league. Led home by Vicki Cronin 4th, followed by Kate Meeson 11th, Sarah Hudak 18th, Ruth Beresford 59th, Amy Cauley 69th, Joanne Lott 120^th and Sue Exon 183rd.

 

The Trafford turnout for the Senior Mens race was disappointing. However they still finished in 2^nd place in their division.  First counter was  Xav O'Hare in an excellent 5^th place,  followed by Jeff Prest 29th, Dan Atkinson 49^th and Dan Partington 61st.

 

All that is left of the winter season now is the Inter Counties Championships at Nottingham next weekend and the English Schools Championships in Sussex the following week for those Trafford athletes who have been selected to represent their county.