On Saturday, Napier Harriers did battle to decide their Cross Country Champions for the 2004 season. The competitors faced a fast, undulating and twisting course at Jolls Farm, with a testing mix underfoot. Most honours went as predicted, the only surprise came in the Boys 13 years and under grade, where rookie Lutz Engels gained his first club title. He won at the expense of Mark Harris who was saving most of his energy reserves for his Sunday football commitments. However, Lutz Engels(13.00) improvement received recognition, as he gained maximum points towards the handicap series.
Abbey Green(14.18) added to her long list of titles by winning the Girls 13 years and under grade, while Katie Harris(11.48) won the Girls 15 years and under section by a huge margin from Aleesha Heywood(15.19).
Brendan Speakman completed a hat trick of annual victories in taking out the Boys 11 and under grade. He won by 27 seconds from Daniel Smith(11.34), while 8 year old James Harris(13.13) raced impressively to finish third and was rewarded with maximum points in the handicap series.
The best contest came in the Boys 15 and under grade, which developed into another great battle between Ryan Woolley and Hogan Green. Green(9.31)made an obvious effort to control the race and finally outsprinted Woolley to win by 20 metres. Eric Speakman(10.29) chased gallantly but lost contact with his dueling rivals during the middle stages.
Ashley Aitken(23.38) predictably outgunned her rivals to win the Junior Women's title. Laura Smidt(24.31) was runner up, well clear of Danelle Bryant(25.43). Aitken is making good use of the harrier season, as a strengthening phrase towards her ultimate track aims. Smidt's bold effort was rewarded by securing the top spot in the handicap section.
Stefan Smith(18.56) won the Junior Men's title easily from Rory Diver. Diver(20.51) was his best effort this year and therefore he took maximum handicap points. Kane Green(21.34) finished third and is finally rediscovering signs of his known talent.
Marilyn Brown chose an aggressive approach to secure her first club title. Although struggling on empty at one stage she recovered to win the Masters Womens race in 26.05, well clear of Adele Marsh(27.19) and Sheila Smidt(28.13).
Shane McCormack gained his first club title in winning the Masters Mens title. Although a little down of recent performances, McCormack(31.39) still had a clear advantage over the chasing pack lead by Mark Speakman(32.02) and Craig Eustace(32.10).
The most impressive performance on the day came from Craig Mathers in retaining his Senior Mens title. He was strongly challenged by Kevin Fisher over the first lap of the 3km course. Once Fisher lost his early emphasis, Mathers' confidence grew and with it the margin. His winning time was a smart 29.02, ahead of a tiring Fisher(30.26), while Brent Jones(31.52) came home in third place. Mathers effort gained him maximum handicap points by a few seconds from Eric Phimister, who had lost valuable time by not following the basic harrier rule, always double-knot your shoelaces.
Report courtesy Trevor Fulton |
