For the first time in the Surrey League’s history, Holland Sports hosted a Division 1 fixture from their Club HQ in Hurst Green, and did a brilliant job. The sun shone down on the manicured fields as burgers sizzled on the BBQ throughout the afternoon, washed down by the excellent Larkins Pale Ale, this was rural Surrey. Against this tranquil backdrop the racing was frenetic, and as with the Southern and National Road Relays it was great to see another strong Herne Hill turnout across the age groups.
The U13 boys kicked off the afternoon’s proceedings and the team race was never really in question as the HHH boys had five runners within the first dozen, and ultimately closed the scoring four in 9th. Josh Lotter was our first scorer in 3rd, followed by Tommy Howard 4th, Conor Harrow 8th and Elliott Albert-Preskett in 9th. Benjamin Thomas in 12th provided excellent back up to the scoring four, and there were four additional HHH finishers. Skyla O’Brien was in a different class in the U13 girls race, running a time that would have put her comfortably in the boys’ top ten. South London Harriers’ girls exhibited similar team dominance to that of HHH in the boys’ race, but the HHH girls packed well to close second team, with Olivia Fisher in 9th, Poppy Mack 13th and Catelaya Holmes 21st. There were four further HHH finishers.
The U15 and U17s ran together, with the boys starting shortly before the girls. HHH’s Thomas Clerkin forced the pace at the sharp end, but it was his club mate Caspian Holmes who eventually got the win. Thomas ended up in 4th, with James Clements-Nash 7th and Leau Roch closing the scoring four in 16th, for a clear team victory. A further eight HHH athletes completed this race. The U15/17 girls’ race was scored separately, with our U15s placing 5th team, and our U17s 2nd. Sophie Mendes led the way in the former in 10th, with other team members including Scarlett Pyemont 17th, Summer Reed 29th and Amber Williamson 33rd. Lily Kitto was our first U17 finishing an excellent 4th, followed by Maeve Minielly 11th, India O’Brien 13th and Zoe Dodgson 23rd.
Ten clubs comprise the Senior Men’s Division 1 league, but there were an incredible 316 finishers, 29 of whom were HHH. It was no surprise to see the home Club’s Jack Kavanagh quickly to the fore. He produced a front running masterclass, building a lead with early 2.40km pace and then holding it until the finish. Sam Bramwell, having clocked quickest HHH legs at Rushmoor and Sutton Park, took no prisoners again with a some very aggressive racing, moving away from regular top ten National finisher Jack Millar, to finish a comfortable 2nd. Sam led our men’s A team to a strong 4th place finish.
Team Captain Danny Shaw produced his highest ever Surrey League finish in 21st position, aided by a rapid last 200m which took him past several runners. He was closely followed by Morgan Roberts in 25th. Having been ill during the week, Morgan ran a cautious race and was in the 40s at halfway, before storming through in the second half. Liam Burthem made an excellent HHH debut finishing in 35th, a great addition to our squad, and he was followed Joe Morwood, who was 55th, two second claim members who made a big difference to our points total. Tom O’Mahoney had had an excellent start to the winter including a strong run at the National Road Relays, finishing 59th, and was closely followed by Ashley Goncalves in 60th, another excellent run. Our next three closed our scoring ten, with another welcome debutant Alfie Brown in 70th, Andrew Clarke 71st and Thomas Patterson in 72nd.
Finishing in 76th, Harry Roberts was extremely unlucky to miss out on the scoring 10, but led our B team to a superb 2nd team place. Alex Russell in 86th and another debutant, Lewis Fagge, in 100th closed our 13 in the top 100. Simon Coombes was 103rd, and second V50, Alex Gutteridge 109th, Jeff Cunningham 125th, Raj Paranandi 128th, Fintan Kearney 137, U20 and debutant Daniel Julius 138th, with Stephen McLeod 175th closing our B team.
Our Senior Women produced excellent 2nd place finishes in both the A and B team races. Sophie Tooley was our lead runner for most of the race, having just started to train post illness. As with Morgan, we are hugely grateful to Sophie for racing whilst not at full fitness, and playing a key role in the A team’s second place finish. Sarah Grover has been a revelation so far this winter, and produced another top run with her 12th place, three positions ahead of Sophie in 15th. New second claim member Laura Gent, who had also been ill and had a house move to London in the week, ran really well to finish 16th, with Charlotte Davies superb in 18th, and Darcie Hey closing the team in 21st. HHH debutant Amie Walker ran an aggressive race, having been top 15 early on, and dug in well to finish 24th, with Lily Newton our 7th scorer, who moved through the field very well, in 25th. Our second placed B team was completed by Ella Newton 43rd, Madelaine Parmer 46th and Surrey League debutant Amy Bull, 74th.
Congratulations to all who raced this first Surrey League. We look forward to another strong turnout at the second match at Beckenham Place on 15th November.
Full results are available at:
Keith Newton