North East Harrier League, Thornley Hall Farm – 10th February

The penultimate harrier league fixture of the season was held at Thornley Hall Farm on 10 February. Although the weather stayed reasonably fair, the demanding course, over rough farmland, was treacherous underfoot.

In the under 11 girls, Holly Asquith, newly turned 9, did well to finish 29^th in her first race for the club. In the under 11 boys, William Wells, Harry Garrett and Sonny Lewins finished in the first 10 followed in by Alfie Cook 26^th, also just 9, and another debutant, Bailey McDonald Crooks, 37^th.

The under 13 boys team of Oliver Douglass, 8^th, Theo Barron 10^th and Oliver Ezeoke 35^th combined well to finish 4^th with Cameron Marshall coming in 50^th.

In the under 13 girls, Lucy Oliver was 15^th. Jessica Ord finished 40^th, probably paying for too fast a start up the steep climbs early in the course.

Ines Curran broke away from her rivals on the last climb to win the under 15 girls. With four league wins already, Ines has an unassailable lead in the individual Grand Prix.

In the under 15 boys, our only runner was Jack Garrett who finished a creditable 16^th – probably the only competitor to have also competed in the indoor meeting 2 days previously!

We had two strong performances in the under 17s and under 20s races. Elisha Tait was 4^th in the under 17 / 20 women race and Charlie McMillan judged his effort well to take 2^nd in the under 17 mens event.

It was good to see encouraging turnouts in both senior races. In the women’s event, the first 4 finishers, Elizabeth Raven, Jane Giles, Lisa Atkinson Charlotte Perkins worked their way through the field to 4^th team position They were backed up by Jackie Phillips, Maggie Loraine, Susie Raven, Karen Joynson and Elizabeth Medd.

In the men’s race, the team finished 3^rd. Jim Mann, Conrad Franks, 2^nd fastest overall, Kevin Connolly, Peter Grimoldy, Joseph Cherry and Stephen Medd made up the team backed up by John McConnell and David Herring

Well done to all our runners and thanks to parents and supporters. Thanks to Blackhill Bounders for hosting the fixture and the event officials.