WMYAXCL (14/02/2017)

Sam Hale reports on the final outing for our young athletes. Thank you Sam for all your efforts on reporting the progress within the League this season.

"It was a bitterly cold and grey day at Aldersley Stadium but the atmosphere in the Tipton tent was warm and sunny for the last race of this year’s West Midlands Cross Country League. The course was sticky with mud all the way round and the wind was biting. It was great to see so many of the Tipton Juniors turn out ready to race. The weather was a test of your commitment so a big thank you to all of the athletes who came and to our great team of family and friends who came to support. I think we even out shouted Wolves and Bilston on their home course. A big welcome to the team to Under 11 Girls Eve Cunningham, Jessica Warmer and Millie Hickman and to Under 11 Boys Will Evans and James Williams and Under 13 boy Kian McDermott who all ran their first cross country races in a Tipton vest. I almost had a tear in my eye watching Rosa Lewis and Amelia Caddick in their last junior league race, they’ve both run in the league since they were 9 and I wish them every success next year running as seniors.

It was heartening to see five Under 17 women on the start line for the first race. Halesowen had 4 in the first 5 but Wolves and Bilston’s Amelia Samuels stole the win with a fantastic run. First home for Tipton was Beth Walker looking really strong 20th, followed by Rosa Lewis 28th, Eve Mulvaney 29th, Amelia Caddick 35th and Holly Mason 42nd. Well done girls. Team 8th (5th in the series)

It was nice to have a really wide start for the 133 boys starting the Under 11’s race but there were still a few fallers. Tom Lucas was first Tipton back in 44th place, he’s had a great first season and not missed a race, next came newcomers William Evans 88th and James Williams 120th. Good running lads. Team 14th (16th in the series)

There were eleven Under 11 Girls on the line which is fantastic and bodes well for the future. The scorers were Sarah Dudley to finish 20th, followed by Claire Parker 38th, Mya Woodward 43rd, Shaya-Anais Lewis 59th and Grace Marnell 63rd. really strong running from you all. Next back were new comers Millie Hickman 85th and Jessica Warmer 89th, closely followed by Tyler Rickards 91st, Megan Judge 92nd, Niamh Hennessey 102nd and Eve Cunningham looking great 108th. Fantastic girls. Team 7th (6th in the series)

Only two Under 15 Boys this time first back in his best race of the season was Alex Parker 29th followed by Will Jones 50th. Well done to you both. Team 7th in the series.

A team of 6 out for the Under 13 Girls. Alex Westbury finished in an impressive 14th place in her best race this season, great running from Phoebe Clark 27th, Jessie Walker 32nd, another improvement from Rosa Shadforth-Groucutt 64th, Jade Charlton was 68th and Isobel Eagle 74th. Great team work girls. Team 6th (6th in the series)

Tom Bentley lead the Under 13 Boys across the line to finish 17th and pick up a medal for 5th in the league, Joseph Lewis ran well to finish 39th followed by Ben Lucas 64th finishing a very consistent season. Kian McDermott braved his first race (in trainers to finish 67th) with Cameron Lomax running well to finish 75th as the 5th scorer. Well done to you all. Team 9th (8th in the series)

Just 3 Under 15 Girls started for Tipton and they all ran very well. Savannah Causer looked really strong and finished 12th, next was Bella Fantom taking two girls on the final sprint to finish 34th followed by Megan Whincup 59th. Team 8th (9th in the series)

Overall Team 10th of 20 in the League."

Full results and league positions at www.wmyaccl.com