| Toby leads a LPS revival
11 December T  he
weather cleared sufficiently enough to enable the final Liverpool and
District Cross Country League match to take place at Skelmersdale's
Beacon Park. It turned out to be an auspicious occasion for Liverpool
Pembroke Sefton. That the club's harrier section has turned the corner
is no longer in doubt. Led by an inspired and courageous Toby Loveridge
the club put up its most impressive performance in ten years.The 18 year old Toby simply ignored the talented runners around him and took the race by the throat. His ferocious front running quickly decimated the field and it was only the talented Liverpool Harrier, John Mellor, who survived and used his experience to overtake the tired LPS man in the closing stages. A fabulous introduction to the senior ranks for the youngster and an effort that inspired the rest of the squad. Ian Roberts was comfortable in 8th but it was the tight packing of Clark Roberts(9), Ed Rimmer(11), Rob Bland(12) and Chris Pedder(17) that carried the club to an easy second placing behind the strong Harrier team. To make LPS's day there were plenty of `subs' in support, Greg Callaghan(32), Danny Gilbody(36), Robbie Wood(52), Mark Bleasdale(62) and Kevin Carroll(69). With Chris Pedder the only Vet in the counting six this was definitely a new look LPS. The aggregate score for the three matches proved something of a nail biting affair. LPS had trailed Wirral by a large margin from previous matches and the Beacon bonus almost propelled them into second spot but in the end they were to fail by the narrowest of margins. Still a third spot and with other talented athletes sidelined on this occasion the Edge Hill University based club has thrown down the gauntlet for subsequent seasons and a possible seismic shift of power in the local domain. Results Report Charles Gains Photo Ron Scott |