Jo Callendar-Wood and Daniel D'Arcy Take the Honours

Oakhill Playing Fields, Tue 11 November 2003

The promised sunshine failed to materialise, so the second of the Mendip area junior schools cross country fixtures was held in heavy mist and a steady drizzle. The weather did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the 300 youngsters who turned out for the four races. First success of the day went to year 4 girl Jo Callendar-Wood, who had finished third in the opening fixture at the Wells Leisure Centre. This time out she came home comfortably clear of Ruby Kelly (St Joseph's) and leading year 3 girl Abigail Lock (Brookside) to lead her teammates from St Benedict's school to their second successive team victory, Hannah Hurford placing 4th and Naomi Neal 6th. The two St Benedicts girls were split by Wells Central's Alice De-Quidt, with two Horrington runners - Hannah Gratton and Amber Brown coming in 7th and 8th. Elmhursts Amber Bowen improved on her 17th place at Wells for 9th, while St Lawrences' Lorna Murray completed the top ten. Behind St Benedicts (11 points) the leading teams were St Joseph's (42 points), Horrington (54 points), Brookside (55 points) and St Lawrences (58 points).
	The lower school boys race got off to a thunderous start for Daniel D'Arcy of Evercreech. Having opened his season with a fifth place at Wells, Daniel was determined to win this one, though he was chased hard all the way by Kieran Young of St Aldhelm's, who was perhaps suffering from a gruelling run two days earlier at the Wessex League match at Salisbury. Third place was occupied by Wells winner Oli Bryant (Wells Central) who now shares the leagues top spot with Young. Callum Parker and Ben Millar (both St Joseph's) were next over the line to set up a fine team victory (20 points to 32 points) over Wells Central whose next runner, Elliot Rutter, came in 6th. Seventh was William Sharp (Upton Noble), sprinting in ahead of Henry Sansom (oakhill), Martin Sidaway (Horrington) and Christopher Brown (St Louis). Third team was Evercreech (46 points), with Brookside on 50 points. The upper school girls race saw a re-run of the first fixture, as year six pupil Abbey Rimmer (Millfield prep) just stayed ahead of the outstanding year five, Aoife Thorogood of St Joseph's. With Millfield out in force, they won the team event with Jessica Goodfellow 3rd and Posy Frederick 4th. Shannon Kurle, another of the year 5's, produced a great run to beat Lucy Etherington (Millfield), Amanda Brereton (Wells Central), Lizzie Foulkes (Millfield) and Oakhill's Lauren Tunnel. The top ten was closed by Lydia Ruff of Wells Central. The battle for the minor team places was rather fierce, with St Benedicts (44 points) just pipping Hugh Sexey's (46 points) with Wells Central on 59 points. With Millfield seeming out to prove a point in the upper boys race, it was left to Wells Central's Sam Norris, winner of the opening fixture, to provide the main opposition. Despite a spirited run from Norris, Millfield's Thomas Litten stayed out in front for a narrow victory, with Miffield packing well some way behind with Kurtis Gibson, Callum Batten, Daniel Lewis-Williams, Hugh Wyatt and Bobby East. Mark Parker of St Joseph's ran well for 8th, narrowly beating Matthew Law (Oakhill) and Ross Padfield (Wells Central). Behind Millfield Wells Central was a clear second in the team race with 25 points, with St Joseph's narrowly ahead of Hugh Sexey, 44 points to 47, with Oakhill 5th on 57 points.

(c) Ian Humphreys 2003, All Rights Reserved