Haverhill XC
Waveney Valley Athletic Club seniors just narrowly missed out on retaining their Suffolk Winter Cross Country League Combined Ladies and Men’s team title, only one point separated Waveney and St. Edmund Pacers. Despite winning the final fixture at Haverhill, Waveney’s A team total over the six races amounted to 18752 points, against Pacers total of 18753.
Waveney was successful in defending their Men’s team title, finishing top with a massive 15684 points. The B and C combined ladies and men’s teams finished first in their sections.
Seven members won individual series trophies in their age groups: Lisa Knights 2nd F45+, Ann Millett 3rd F60+, Dominic Oliver 1st Senior Male, Jim Burgess 3rd M40+, David Mower 2nd VM60+, Bill Kingaby 1st V65+ and Alan Varle 3rd VM70+.
Waveney had twenty-five seniors competing at Haverhill, and once again Dominic Oliver was first home for the club finishing in second place with his swift time of 29:01. Dominic has finished in the top 4 in five races of the series, which secured him the senior men’s individual title. Jim Burgess posted 31:30 in 15th place was second in his age group V40+. Dylan Neeve clocked 32:38 in 23rd place not far behind was the youngest member of the senior squad Josh Barnard who finished a very creditable 25th with his time of 33:02. Steve Barber recorded his highest finishing position in the series crossing the line in 30th place with his time of 33:39. Leon Bernasconi and Tim Earl both finished in the top sixty with Leon recording 34:58 in 45th place and Tim 35:55 in 54th place. The men’s A team total on the day was 2638, which retained them the men’s series-winning shield.
Rest of the men’s team results: 59th Leon Neeve 36:33. 64th Robert Milner 37:23. 68th Stuart Spurgeon 37:55. 82nd Matt Baldry 39:18. 84th Bill Kingaby 39:38 (1st V65+). 86th David Mower 39:41 (2nd V60+). 93rd Ian Hawkes 40:15. 102nd Robin Jones 40:37. 193rd Alan Varle (3rd V70+) 50:03.
The men’s B and C team also topped their sections in the overall team standings.
Waveney’s top finisher in the ladies section Lisa Knight posted a very creditable time of 38:36 in 76th place was 14th lady (2nd V45+) Sarah Norman clocked 41:49 in 109th place (26th Lady). Stephanie Pimlott recorded 42:40 in 122nd place (29th lady).
It was good to see Ann Millett back in action after having to drop out of the race at Bury St. Edmunds with a leg injury, she was delighted to finish the race at Haverhill in a respectable time of 44:15 in 139th place overall. Rosemary Plant was 180th in 48:17. Rachel Finch 183rd in 48:42. 201st Donna Milner 52:41. 209th Debbie Foster 54:22. 210th Alison Barnard 54:56. All these ladies scored valuable points for the club which all counted towards the combined ladies and men’s A, B and C teams finishing top of their sections.
In the junior one lap race, new member Zak Barber in his first cross country race for the club posted an impressive time of 14:51 in 22nd place, and fourth in his U: 13 age group. William Browne was also in good form, competing in the same age group; he clocked 15:35 in 28th place (7th U: 13).
Thanks to all senior and junior members who competed in the league, but special mention must go to club captain Chris Pimlott who although injured so could not compete in all of the races, was mainly instrumental in Waveney’s strong presence in the league.