News January 2010

January

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Class performance from Rhea 23 January For the Liverpool Pembroke Sefton contingent attending the Northern Cross Country Championships at Blackburn's Witton Park there was no argument about the day's best performance. Still on a high from gaining her first representative vest Rhea Ellis took on the elite of the region's Under 20 Women and was consistently in the leading bunch. She tackled the infamous terrain with huge confidence and determination and in a pulsating finish closed rapidly on the fading third medallist failing only by a handful of seconds for the bronze. Rhea will be content with fourth on this occasion. But the best in the North now know that the top Merseyside 18 year old is one to fear. In the same race Ormskirk's Toria Swift finished 28th and is brimming with new found optimism. As usual in contention for the club's best performance was Kirsty Longley in the Senior Women's race who chopped a massive 24 places off her 2009 performance in 27th spot. There was additionally here a welcome return to racing for June Swift in 175th position. Also commanding attention these days is the dedicated Under 17 Jai Vernon McGuigan. After club star Toby Loveridge dropped out with a foot injury Jai led the LPS charge home in 24th with Mike Bride(49), Ed Rimmer(50) and Sean Kirkbride(69) closing in for 7th team. Michael Wilson was 93rd. The U15`s were also without their front man, Alistair Nelson, but turned out in force. James Grundy(38), Warren Turner(72), Kyle Nicolls(80) and George Curran(133) made up a counting team that finished 12th. The enthusiasm of this age group was demonstrated as David Reece(140), Robert Parkinson(164), Albert Curran(192) and Darren McDonald(195) also enjoyed good runs. There was a scattering of enthusiastic Under 13s present, Nathan Browne(126) and Ben Haines(168) and Charlotte Haines(158), Georgie Hannaway(174) and Beth Deary(207) in their respective events. The climax of a long programme saw two Senior Men run well in the mammoth field. The fast improving Mark Salter was 238th while Coventry based Clark Roberts made the trip to finish 346th. Results Report Charles Gains Photo Steve Nelson
Rhea collects a representative vest 17 January The UK Cross Country Challenge races attract the best in the country and Cardiff was no exception. Running for the North in her first Under 20 representative match Rhea Ellis finished a great 8th barely a minute off the winning time. No team results yet but it looks like she may well have collected a silver medal as third counter in the Northern team. Her confidence will be boosted for the coming weekend's Northern Championships at Blackburn.
First Northern medal of the season 17 January The ice having receded it was back to business for the Liverpool Pembroke Sefton club. In preparation for the following week's Northern Champs the harrier section were at Blackpool for a Mid-Lancs League fixture. Two individual and two team victories characterised the day. At Under 15 Alistair Nelson continued his winning ways towing Kyle Nicholls(11), James Grundy(12) and Warren Turner(13) to an easy team win. To cap a good performance and emphasise depth in strength George Curran(19), Dave Reece(29), Robert Parkinson(31) and Darren McDonald(32) closed in fourth team. The Under 17s provided an almost identical result, Toby Loveridge striding home first and with Jai Vernon-McGuigan(5) and Mike Bride(10) ensuring another team win. Sean Kirkbride(14), Michael Wilson(16) and Ed Rimmer(18) were 5th team. There were two outstanding runner-up positions at either end of the age spectrum. Jack Crook continued to edge his way up the Under 11 age group and was barely two seconds adrift of the top spot. He is definitely a talent to watch out for. Meanwhile Kirsty Longley in the Senior Women wrapped up second place in style and is obviously relishing the prospect of the Northern and National races to come. In the same field of over 80 Toria Swift will be mightily satisfied with her 19th position and fifth Junior. Elsewhere Charlotte Haines was 43rd in U13 race and Nathan Browne 17th and Jonathon Bride 28th in the Boys equivalent. Mid Lancs Results While several of the above were contemplating the first Northern medals of the year they were beaten to it at Sheffield where the Northern Indoor titles were being contested. Adam Thomson cruised through his U20 heat of the 400m in 52.33 before turning it on in the final to collect the bronze with 51.40. Harry Doran was a shade less lucky in the Senior 400m, a heat time of 50.25 translating only to fourth in the final with 50.16. Just fractionally ahead was training partner Luke Edwards of the Sheffield club currently at Edge Hill University with Harry. He will get the bragging rights this week at least, as they resume training in Ormskirk. Lurking about in the Senior Men races was former international Phil Taylor gingerly feeling his way back into action with a 60m of 7.37 and a 22.41 200m. Tucked away in the U20 Triple Jump results was a fine opening season leap of 12.86m from rising star Dean Matthews whose target this coming year should be 14m. Other reasonable LPS performances came from Andrew Williams U17 400m with 53.40 and a U20 60m in 7.67 plus a 200m in 24.05 from Stuart Dolman.Northern Indoor Results Top Photo The Under 15 Boys on parade prior to the start Lower photo Jack Crook

The Start		All smiles afterwards

Mike Bride		Toby Loveridge
Report Charles Gains, Photos John Crook & Robert Dignam
Alistair conquers the snow 9th January Lancashire was one of the very few counties that managed to stage their cross country championships because of the severe weather conditions. Witton Park, Blackburn is a difficult enough course at the best of times but the snow made it even more hazardous. Burscough's Alistair Nelson was not deterred in the least by this and was always in control of the Under 15 race running side by side with Blackpool's Ben Everson before kicking away over the last 800m to win comfortably by ten seconds. The Liverpool Pembroke Sefton contingent will remember that this was the same victory 12 months ago that started a run of success that culminated in a school international vest and the title of West Lancashire Junior Sports Personality of the Year. The Ormskirk St Annes School pupil Jack Crook is beginning to adjust to top class running. Always anxious before the start of a race the nerves miraculously evaporate at the sound of the gun. The Under 11 took off with a tough Blackpool trio managing eventually to split them in third spot gaining a coveted medal and reflect he was only a few seconds away from the ultimate triumph. Elsewhere the depleted LPS squad saw Toria Swift finish 7th in the Junior Women's race after a 12 month lay off and possibly secure a Lancashire vest for the forthcoming inter-counties championships. The U17 Men had Sean Kirkbride(14) and Peter Gaskell(20) and a lone Senior Tom Hanlon(59). Results Above Ben Everson and Alistair battle it out Right Jack Crook striding out to collect the bronze medal
Sean Kirkbride		Toria Swift
Report Charles Gains Photos Stephen Nelson
Although the Merseyside Cross Country champs had been cancelled the weather is no obstacle to the indefatigable Kirsty Longley here seen working out on the Beacon at Skelmersdale in preparation for the Northern Championships.