After a 1976-beating summer, it was only to be expected that the 2018-9 season opener would be a balmy one - it usually is. Nobody anticipated it would be scorchio; but it was a stunning autumn day to kick off the season.

As has also become customary in this mighty league, the field was a big’un. 233 women finished, a record I think for Claybury, if not the League. With new flags denoting new clubs and a great vibe all round as Woodies gathered in their usual spot beside the beautiful ancient oak, there was bound to be excitement.

Relegated to Division 2 after (yet) another disappointing season last year, where we struggled to get a scoring six to any fixture after the first, things already looked like a challenge; losing the talented V40 Kat Gundersen to her old club VPTH added to the pain.

Provisional results

Photos (by Mark Easton - available to purchase)

Nearly 70 young athletes assembled at Claybury where the weather was more like a mid-summer's day rather than autumn. Temperatures were close to 25 degrees, while a strong southerly wind blew across the course.

We started the defence of the Howard Williams Junior Trophy in fine style, winning 5 of the 6 age groups, and taking 5th in the Junior Women’s age group, which is a big improvement on last year. Our B teams were 6th (U11 boys) ,6th (U11 girls), 3rd (U13 boys), 2nd (U13girls) and 7th (Junior Men). Praise must go to our WASPS section who provided a large number of U11s which hugely contributed to the wins for both age groups.

Provisional results

Photos (by Mark Easton - available to buy)

The U13 Girls, whose A and B teams finished 1st and 2nd