Essex Schools CC, Writtle, 18/01/2020
We had no fewer than 29 athletes taking part, representing various districts, in this year's championships where the runners were greeted with sunny skies although there was a chill in the air. A lot was at stake in the six races, from which the first six across the line would be gaining automatic selection for the English Schools CC at Liverpool in March. As Essex are hosting the South East Schools Inter Counties this year, the first twenty over the line were to be invited to this fixture. This race would decide the final two discretionary places on offer for the English Schools.
Our athletes had an excellent morning with no fewer than seven gaining automatic selection for the English Schools. And a further eight athletes were selected to represent Essex Schools at the Inter Counties fixture on 1st February.
Kezia Beeton (no 89): 4th in the Junior Girls race (pic: Laura Millward)
In the Junior/Inter Girls/Boys races there were around 65/70 runners per race, and around 30 in the Senior Boys/Girls races.
Junior Girls (3.4K, Year 8/9)
We had nine Woodettes on the start line ready to encounter a fairly flat course that had more of its fair share of mud throughout the race. Abigail Reid and Kezia Beeton got out well and were both in a pack of four that broke away from the rest. As the race progressed Abigail eventually shook off the attentions of Holly Watson, a great Under 15 runner that finished 14th in the South Of England Inter Counties last year. At the finish Abigail was 28 seconds up on the talented Chelmsford athlete whilst Kezia Beeton was involved in a scrap for third spot, just losing out on the line to Kiera Atkinson. Jasmine Dolan, who has just joined us and is a year 8, had a great run to place 15th to gain County selection. Not too far back were Rosemary Kelly and Emily Caton, both year 8s who ran strongly for 22nd/23rd to be just a few seconds off Essex selection. Mary Hardy and fast-improving Isabella Worwood were also close together in 33rd and 34th. Bronya Overington, reliable as ever, was 38th, and Emily Millward, with a great charge towards the end, placed 42nd. Emily is another who is only year 8.
Inter Girls (3.8K Year 10/11)
We had four Woodettes on the line for this race. Miya Maeda faced strong year 11 opposition but ran superbly for 11th to gain Inter County selection. Miya was the 4th Year 10 to finish so she should be happy with her result. Jess Adams was next in, placing 23rd, unfortunately at the back of four athletes having a huge tussle for that 20th place. Jess missed out on her first County vest by just three seconds. So unlucky but her time will come! Ellen Savidge, who gained Essex selection two years ago, was unlucky to have a bad start in her race. Nevertheless she came through strongly at the end to place 29th. Olivia Howe, winning her first district vest, did well to place 55th.
Senior Girls (4.2K)
With a smaller field setting out, we had two athletes out to secure county vests once again, both girls being great club athletes for a few years now. It was a welcome return to great form for Wren McLean-Jackson who placed 9th and could not stop smiling once she had her selection note. Siena Taylor, now in her last year at school, also performed well for 12th, which left her really happy too.
Junior Boys (4.2K Year 8/9)
L to R: Nate Harding, Jimmy Geller, Reuben Fabian (pic: James Geller)
We had five Woodies on the start line with a welcome return to racing for Jimmy Geller following surgery on an appendix in October. Although the leader and eventual winner Tom Wood got away early, there was a good race for the minor placings which involved our Jimmy. At the finish Jimmy was just 10 seconds behind 2nd place athlete Steadman, which must be seen as an excellent return to racing for our lad. One place further back from Jimmy was Reuben Fabian with a super run to gain his first Essex vest, being automatically selected for the English Schools along with Jimmy. Another to really excel was Year 8 lad Nate Harding who, despite being tangled with some barbed wire out on the course, still managed 19th to gain his first county colours. Praise for these two much-improved athletes should be given to coach Alex Bird, who you see week in week out at Woodford. Second claim runner Ronan Edwards, who smashed his Parkrun PB recently, ran well for 26th. Making a welcome return to racing, Nathan Wright did well to come 42nd. We know that, in weeks to come, Nathan will regain his best form which has seen him win many county vests.
Inter Boys (5.7K Year 10/11)
By now the course was becoming even more treacherous, with oceans of mud which was now making for very heavy going. After placing 2nd in the Essex Under 17 XC two weeks earlier, Joel Doye again showed excellent form and, though just over twenty seconds behind 2019 mini marathon champion Thomas Archer, he saw off the challenge of Colchester’s Cahill to finish 2nd, nearly twenty seconds ahead of Cahill. Year 10 athlete Danny Raymond, elated with his sub 2 minutes 800m clocking a week ago, had a superb run on a course that was not his cup of tea. He placed 6th to gain his selection for the English Schools. Another bottom year athlete, Max Richards, has continued his progress this season and, after shattering his 800m PB recently indoors, did well for 27th, just behind the West Essex Champion Cotton, who may well be joining our ranks. Jacob Hardy, in the middle of exams, took a break in his studies to get around for 38th. We know that when Jacob gets back to his best he will be a real force, that’s for sure.
Senior Boys (6.7K Year 12/13)
Four of our lads toed the line for what turned out to be a highly exciting race. A group of three got away early, but the next group of six contained three of our lads - Tom Adolphus, Kieran Allgood and Videsh Weerakkody. Rhys Edwards was not far behind this group. Whilst a most exciting race saw Wheeler just outkick the fast finishing Aaron Samuels, our boys were not too far behind. Following his fine 6th place two weeks ago in the Essex U20 race, Tom Adolphus pulled clear for 5th late in the race to secure his first Essex Schools vest and his first English Schools trip. Kieran battled bravely for 7th, so just missed out on automatic selection, but he knows that a similar run in two weeks' time will give him one of the final two places available to go to Liverpool. Coming back from injury, Videsh did well for 11th, with Rhys also running well for 15th.
Overall this was a great set of results from a group that in general is gaining in confidence. The coach and team manager is delighted to see such great support the runners give each other. The whole group now make the short trip to North London for the Southern XC Champs next Saturday.