Striders play host as Roberts pips Barry to the finishing line
THE fourth and final Birmingham and Midland Cross-Country League fixture saw the women and men both competing on home turf at Pittville Park.
This fixture was also special, because it was the first time the club had hosted an event in this league.
The air was damp and cool and the ground extremely sodden and slippy, but this did not hinder the ladies team from scoring well.
Liza Barry used her usual strength and determination to lead the ladies for the majority of the race.
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But Helen Roberts had the run of her life to stay with Barry on the two-lap course and managed to pip her close to the finish line, Roberts taking 39th place and Barry claiming 41st place.
The final scorer for the women's A team was the ever-consistent Trish Woods in 53rd place.
Amanda Steer (57th) worked hard and ran well to pull away from team-mate Naomi Kellett in the last half a lap.
Kellett, who has just recently returned to racing and had an excellent run, placed 65th.
Helen Howes completed the B team in an excellent 95th place.
There were also fine runs from Rebecca Boulton (129th), Natalie Greening (147th) and Laura Finucane (154th).
The women finished 12th team overall on the day and fourth Masters team.
Overall the women were fourth in Division Two.
With the course already churned up the men worked hard to maintain position in the league.
Rich Dare, in his final race for the club, ran well to lead the men home in 13th place.
Second scorer was Chris Driskell, who placed 47th despite having set up part of the course.
Newcomer to the club Andrew Jones showed promising improvement by finishing in 54th place.
Dave Smeath had his best run of the season finishing in 66th place and Damian Cuke had a fine run in 91st place.
He was closely followed by Jon Howes, who completed the men's A team line-up in a solid 104th place.
Other notable performances came from Rich Shardlow (114th), JJ Wilson (126th), Dave Billingham (140th), Jon Bird (155th), Ross Greening (170th), Andrew Paterson (177th), Rob Bircher (189th) and Duncan Kay (205th). The men finished 12th in the league overall for the season.
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