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Double silver for LPS 25 February
Such is the current strength of Liverpool Pembroke Sefton that national
medals seem a matter of course. In the Inter-Counties Cross Country
Championships at Nottingham David Forrester, running for Merseyside in
the Under 15 race, put in yet another scorching finish to go from fifth
to second in the last few hundred yards. He lost the gold by a mere one
second to a Scots lad but had the satisfaction of being the first
English runner home. This will boost his confidence for the imminent
National Cross Country Championships at Sunderland.
Meanwhile another one of the club's sprint sensations, Under 17 Harry
Doran, was at the National Indoor Championships at Birmingham. In a heat
he set a personal best of 49.32 seconds. He was in no position to
challenge the eventual winner in the Final and was the subject of some
barging but retained his composure to take the silver with 49.71. He
joins a galaxy of LPS runners who now find the classy sub-50 seconds
almost a routine event.
Report Charles Gains
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It has been a dramatic week for Liverpool Pembroke
Sefton sprint star, Phil Taylor. After being barged out of a medal place
in the UK Indoor Championships he was at the Birmingham National Indoor
Arena for a Grand Prix meeting. Sub 47 seconds is the moment when 400m
runners go from being simply good to a much higher level. In a quick
race Taylor finished fourth but it was his personal best time of 47.5
that caught the eye, worth at least half second quicker outdoors. The in
form Loughbororough student then went on to Sheffield to represent
Manchester in the final of an Inter-cities cup. He won, this time in
48.0 dead. Taylor has made a fantastic start to the year and will be
hunting a full international vest outdoors later in the season.
Meanwhile LPS had runners at the superbly organised Parbold Hill race on
a beautiful spring day. Graham Cairns is thoroughly enjoying life as an
Over 50 vet. In finishing 15th overall he collected this category prize
emphasising his local dominance. Not too far adrift was club mate Greg
Callaghan at 29th. In a field of 450 both Robbie Wood(160) and Dave
Fairclough(263) had useful runs. Gill Darby ran as strong as ever to
finish 180 but 3rd in her age group. Skelmersdale Boundary Harriers are
to be congratulated on continuing to promote such a classic cross
country encounter.
Results
Report Charles Gains
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Phil Taylor foiled in title bid 11 February
Liverpool Pembroke Sefton's talented 400m star was at Sheffield for the
televised Norwich Union European Trials and UK Indoor Championships.
After coasting through his heat in 48.73 and posting a sharp 48.16 in
the semi-final he looked odds on to gain a championship medal, even the
gold. Fate played a different hand in the shape of two other athletes
who ran out of their lanes and severely baulked the Ormskirk runner.
They were both disqualified but that was little comfort to Taylor who
had to settle for fourth in 48.47. Clearly disappointed he does come
away with the knowledge that he is in the shape of his life and will be
hunting personal bests outdoors this coming season.
Another Ormskirk resident and student Stephanie Swift was with the bulk
of the club`s cross country runners at Astley Park, Chorley for a
Mid-Lancashire CC League. Having been left out of the Lancashire team
for the Inter-Counties Championships she had a point to prove and ran
well above herself to come home first Junior woman. Yet another Ormskirk
runner, June Swift was in 4th place. Elsewhere the Under 15 Boys were in
their usual rampant mood. Dave Forrester was again an assured winner but
talented colleague Jake Helm has definitely begun to close the gap. With
Chris Hesketh 3rd there was the usual strong supporting cast of Mike
Bride(6), Edward Rimmer(7), Sean Dignam(13), John Meakin(21) and David
Hough(22) to ensure the team result was a formality. The Under 13s were
third with Adam Goldfarb(11), Joe Hanlon(20), Matthew Scragg(23). Adam
Dible(28) and Sean Cain(29). Incomplete teams elsewhere were Under 17`s
Rob McLaughlin(15) and Tom Hanlon(21), Under 15 Girls Emma Bowen(11) and
Toria Swift(15) plus Senior Woman Kirsty Longley(15).
Over at Clarke Gardens, Liverpool the Liverpool and District Cross
Country Championships were being fought out. Over the 80 years history
the club has had its name on this trophy more than anybody else but
these are difficult times for the Senior Men. Sammy Rashid was as sound
as ever finishing 10th including first Over 40, Graham Cairns at 17th
was first Over 50. Greg Callaghan(26), Steve Donegan(30), Jeff
Mason(59). Robbie Wood(106) and supporting Mark Bleasdale(119) ensured a
team closure but only 6th. Gill Darby was third in the Senior Women but
first Veteran home.
Report Charles Gains |
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