Schools Area Cross Country Competition - York - 3rd March 2007

Eight junior Richmond and Zetland athletes made the short journey to York on Saturday 3rd March to compete for North Yorkshire against Humberside in the Schools Area Cross Country, all claiming their county colours in the process. Rosie Adams had an excellent run to finish 9th in the Inter/Senior Girls race, while Katie Roberts was only 7 seconds behind in 12th place. Tom Allen was top Harrier on the day in the Junior Boys race, narrowly missing selection for the English Schools Championship, finishing in 4th position overall. Team mate Marc Scott was close on his heels in 6th place and Sam Wood having another great run, finished in 8th. The year 7 Boys race saw two strong performances from newcomer Daniel Overin, who took a well-deserved 10th place and Sam Devlin crossed the line 13 seconds later to claim 19th position. Amy Coulson produced another strong run in the Year 7 Girls race, finishing well up in the field of 30 competitors in 7th place. Well done to all on gaining their Yorkshire vests.

BMAF Indoor Championships

Sunday 4th March saw the welcome return of thrower John Wild, in his first competition of the year, making the slightly longer journey to Pickett’s Lock, Enfield for the BMAF Indoor (& Outdoor Throws) Championships. This was his first visit to an indoor competition in his long career, as previously they have only held the Shot Putt, but this year, organisers decided on several outdoor throws at the venue. John took part in the Discus, Shot Putt and Heavy Hammer in his new age group of M55, having just moved up this season. Taking 1st place in all three events, with throws of 37.11m in the Discus, 10.13m in the Shot and 13.55m in the Heavy Hammer, John modestly added “I am well satisfied with both results and distances in what were lousy, wet and windy conditions and I hope it is an indication of a good season ahead.

NYSD Cross Country - Richmond - 4th March 2007

Jim Robinson (winner V3 competition)

Some athletes were in action for the second day running over the weekend, as Richmond and Zetland hosted the 6th NYSD cross country fixture at Richmond School. The U13 Boys got the proceedings underway, once again claiming a clear victory, which surely hands them the age group trophy. Fergus Roberts clocked up yet another win and the ever-speedy Marc Scott promptly claimed 3rd place, while new member Daniel Overin was a welcome addition to the team, finishing in 7th. Rob Scott crossed the line in 8th, Paul Harmsworth claimed a 16th place finish with some strong running and with Callum Wadsworth in 25th place, the team romped home to success.

The U13 Girls team had 6 athletes, who finished as 3rd team on the day for the second time running, despite Kerry Robson having to pull out mid course. Maddy Winzer claimed 2nd place with a solid performance and Amy Coulson promptly took 12th with another consistent run. They were followed in by Rosie Stirr in 26th and welcome newcomers Isabelle Russell in 29th and Amy Revel in 34th overall, for a great team result. Tom Allen and Sam Wood once again battled it out in the Under 15 Boys race to both finish in excellent positions, with 3rd and 4th place respectively and with Rory Wadsworth in 16th, the team took a fabulous 2nd place. Rachel Holloway was the sole Harrier in the U15 girls competition, but held her pace well to finish in 15th place overall.

The ladies had a somewhat reduced squad with Fiona Hughes still not 100% fit and Sarah Gregory sidelined with an injury, nevertheless they managed a great result, finishing as 4th team. Jessie Roberts made a welcome return to the cross country circuit and took 14th place after being out for some time with injuries and other sporting commitments. Jo Adams meanwhile raced home to take a well-earned 19th place and another returning athlete - Erica Moks, took a pleasing 27th position. Jane Thornton and Jenny Fenwick then put in some solid, team running to claim 33rd and 34th places.

The men on the other hand, had more than a full team, with no less than 11 athletes. Jon Orange was once again first Harrier across the line, taking a fabulous 3rd place overall and once again 1st place in the Vet 1 category. Rich Hunt had a great run on home turf to take 7th place and Ken Harker was next home in 18th, while Shaun Purkiss claimed 23rd place with some consistently-paced running, putting the team well up on the score board. Tad Zaranko took a deserved 32nd position, while Tony Ryder tackled the now wet, windy and extremely slippery conditions to take 36th place. Taff Rogers crossed the line in 51st overall and Jim Robinson took the Vet 3 title with another fantastic victory in this category, finishing in 75th place. Ray Robson enjoyed another outing, finishing strongly in 82nd position, while Ian Hepworth crossed the line in 86th and Paul Goad enjoyed the muddy course claiming 92nd in the process.

RZH Results: U13 Boys – 1st Fergus Roberts, 3rd Marc Scott, 7th Daniel Overin, 10th Rob Scott, 16th Paul Harmsworth & 25th Callum Wadsworth, Team 1st. U13 Girls – 2nd Maddy Winzer, 12th Amy Coulson, 26th Rosie Stirr, 29th Isabelle Russell & 34th Amy Revel, Team 3rd. U15 Boys – 3rd Tom Allen, 4th Sam Wood & 16th Rory Wadsworth, Team 2nd. U15 Girls – 15th Rachel Holloway. Senior/Vet/U17 Ladies – 14th (& 1st U20) Jessie Roberts, 19th Jo Adams, 27th Erica Moks, 33rd Jane Thornton & 34th Jenny Fenwick. Senior/Vet Men – 3rd (& 1st V1) Jon Orange, 7th Rich Hunt, 18th Ken Harker, 23rd Shaun Purkiss, 32nd Tad Zaranko, 36th Tony Ryder, 51st Taff Rogers, 75th (& 1st V3) Jim Robinson, 82nd Ray Robson, 86th Ian Hepworth & 92nd Paul Goad, Team 4th.