| Impressive run from
Toby 27 November The Cross Challenge and European Selection Trials event was held once again in Sefton Park attracting some of the country's top runners. The best LPS performance of the day came from Toby Loveridge in the Under 20 event. He finished just over a minute behind the winner in the 30th place in what was inevitably a class race. As it was his first incursion into the Junior ranks it was an impressive performance. A slightly off colour Jai Vernon-McGuigan was 83rd but also not far off the pace. The competition includes both the Mid-Lancs and Liverpool and District League. In the former the club's Under 17s were good team winners with Alistair Nelson(4), Warren Turner(6) and Sean Kirkbride (9). This is a strong club age group and there was additional support from Kyle Nicholls(16), George Curran(21), Rob Parkinson(27), Dave Reece(28) and Darren McDonald(30). There were no other complete teams but Jack Crook(7) put in another noteworthy run in the U13 race. The real eye-opener here was Liam Bibby(9) fractionally adrift of Crook. Chris Webber was 31st. The U11s had strong runs from Joe Martin(5) and Tom Jaques(11) with the Bousique brothers Paul(29) and Colin(31). The U15s turned out James Loftus(13), Nathan Browne(33) and Albert Curran(37). There was a sprinkling of determined girls, three at U13, Anna Hulme (16), Charlotte Mawdsley (30) and Ella Barton(47), two at U15, Georgina Hannaway (35) and Alicia Burke(42) with a lone U17 Abby Kelly(19). Mid Lancs Results The Liverpool and District Senior League saw the club struggling with absentees for various reasons and were not expected to hold on to the second spot secured at the previous match. Mike Bride(17) was first home running impressively followed by the vastly improved Clark Roberts(27) and another newcomer to the senior ranks Ed Rimmer (31) with super-vet Greg Callaghan(32) hanging on grimly. Chris Pedder (46) and Sammy Rashid (73) closed in. There was also Danny Gilbody (84) and Robbie Wood (108) as insurance. The club naturally dropped to fourth team but remain third overall. The final match at the Beacon should find the club at full strength again. Liverpool & District Results Report Charles Gains |
 Amelia wins indoors 20 November High Jump coach Dave McComb accompanied his rising star, Amelia McLaughlin, to the first of the season's open meetings in Sheffield. He watched the Under 15 Streatham House School pupil win her event comfortably with 1.60m. This almost equals her 2010 best outdoors when she finished joint 17th in the national rankings. With another year in this age group she is sure to figure in championship deciders. Results 1-2-3 at Arrowe Park In a Merseyside Schools Cross Country League at Arrowe Park LPS provided the first three home in the senior match. Jai Vernon-McGuigan(Chesterfield High) and Toby Loveridge (KGV Southport) virtually dead heated with Mike Bride(Deyes High) also in close attendance. To cap it all Ed Rimmer (KGV) was fifth. In Year 9 Jonathan Bride(Deyes) was 15th and in Yrs 10/11 Darren McDonald (Tarleton) was 19th. Three Crosby girls Year 7 Charlotte Mawdsley (Merchant Taylors) 11th, Year 9 Georgina Hannaway (18) and Senior Alicia Burke(16th), both Sacred Heart, also ran well. Report Charles Gains |
| Jack Crook a star at Blackburn 13
November The Mid-Lancs Cross Country League was at its most challenging venue, Blackburn`s fearsome Witton Park. Its perennial  mud
and steep hills are not for the timid and one of Liverpool Pembroke
Sefton`s youngest members, Jack Crook, would certainly not fall into
that category. He took the U13 race by the scruff of the neck and in
spite of a late challenge by a Blackburn runner stormed home to victory.
The Ormskirk St Bede`s pupil is setting a marker for bravery and
commitment that inspires others.His U15 colleagues also ran courageously James Grundy(8), James Loftus(10), Nathan Browne(32) and Albert Curran(35) 
combining to finish fourth team. The U17`s went one better finishing
third with Warren Turner(11), Sean Kirkbride(15) and George Curran(26).
Rob Parkinson(31) and David Reece(33) were loyally in support. There
were only two entrants in the U11 race Joseph Martin(12) and Thomas
Jacques(16) both promising talent. There were noticeable absentees in
the Junior ranks but two Seniors made the trip. Chris Pedder was 81st in
a large field and Danny Gilbody was 193rd. The latter was running his
first serious cross country race in 10 years and will have good reason
for feeling pleased about this initial performance. Some of the the
club`s girls were at a school race but the diminutive U13 Charlotte
Mawdsley(35) was there as usual to give of her very best, as did Katie
Walker(37) and Charlotte Haines(41) in the U15 encounter.
ResultsReport Charles Gains Photos Steve Nelson |
| John Bradshaw `Coach of the Year' 2
November At the West Lancashire Sports Awards evening at Edge Hill's Rose Theatre John Bradshaw took the Coach of the Year Award, a recognition of his 40 years spent coaching endurance athletes. Fittingly the award was presented by his most successful pupil, European silver medallist Michael Rimmer, who spoke of the times in his early career when John had persevered and driven him to the success he now enjoys as Britain's No 1 800m runner. Michael himself received a runners up award for Sports Personality of the Year.  John receives his award from Mike Rimmer |