Met League Three – U13 & U11 Battle of Uxbridge
Met League – U13 & U11 Battle of Uxbridge
The third Met League of the season took place on Sat 4th Dec at Uxbridge. It was set to be a battle! Not only did the squad have to contend with the long haul around the A406. They also faced losing a number of team mates to other commitments and sports fixture clashes that included the Essex County (U13/U15 and Vets) CC Champs.
Undaunted, the squad (parents and supporters) made their way through heavy traffic to assemble on the soft grassy fields of Uxbridge. Despite the headwinds the athletes were determined to defend their position in the leagues and WGEL overall lead in the Howard Williams Trophy. The question was could WGEL athletes prove their powers of resilience again and take on the battle across numerous fronts?
Results: https://www.metleague.run/results/race-3-2021-uxbridge-results-4-12-2021/ T
The Course
The junior races were run on three big sports fields. The going was soft. The start and finish were in a middle field. The races began with a 200m grassy climb into a top field. Here athletes took on a “ski slope” climb in a narrow wooded section. After descending the climb athletes made their way down from the top field to the bottom of the middle field. They then crossed into a lower field traversing a muddy, wet section until reaching a bridge where they crossed back into the middle field for a final 400m run into the finish. U13 athletes ran 3km. U11 athletes ran 2km.
U13 Boys: Woodford A-Team 3rd / Woodford B-Team 17th
WGEL had 6 boys in a total field of 44 athletes with 18 clubs competing. The field set off at a customary fast pace with Tom Mythen (SMR) the overall Met leader at the front with Euan Phillips (SHB) and Daniel Jelfs (SMR) in hot pursuit.
These boys soon built a gap of 10 seconds to fourth place John (SHB) who was third at Welwyn. John found himself stranded between the leaders and the chasing pack. This pack included WGEL athletes Harry Stockill, Daniel Arnold and Oliver Brown who were once again showed their class up with the leaders. In the front group the surprise winner was Jelfs (SMR) who beat team mate Mythen (SMR) in his first race of season. Euan Philips (SHB) was third. Behind these three the WGEL boys were still in the hunt. Harry had worked really hard over the middle part of the race in pursuit of John (SHB).
Hillingdon AC on home turf had two athletes who also went with Harry at this point. It was going to be a tight finish! In the end, John (SHB) held 4th and a Hillingdon athlete, Daahir Awale (5th) just moved ahead of Harry to finish 5th. Despite this Harry showed great determination and power to move away from the other Hillingdon AC athlete in what was almost a photo finish! Harry took 6th place in a very competitive race and was first home for WGEL.
SHB, Hillingdon and SMR all had 2 athletes home (as part of their scoring 4) but where were WGEL boys? The answer was right behind! Next for WGEL was Daniel Arnold (8th). Improving on his ninth place at Welwyn. Daniel is lower year U13 and this was a tremendous run as he continues to progress.
Following Daniel, was Oliver Brown (12th). Oliver finished like a train, only narrowly missing out on catching Lesenne-Ward (Hillingdon AC) in a sprint finish. Oliver has been training well and although disappointed with his result should be pleased with recent progress.
Fourth home for WGEL was Stephen Ng (21st) who again closed the A-Team with a really strong finish. The A-Team closed the scoring 4 athletes in 21 places to take third on the day. Behind hosts Hillingdon AC and SHB. In the overall league they held second place with SHB 35 points ahead. The chase is on!
Opening the B-Team was Luke Stoneham (41st). Luke, despite an ankle injury midweek was determined to race for his team. Right behind Luke was Jude Purser (44th). Jude is another athlete who turns out for the club and gives it his all. Both these athletes deserve huge praise for getting stuck in! Sadly, depleted numbers meant WGEL did not close the B-Team but the determination of these boys to run and score meant they helped the B-Team maintain mid-table (11th) position just 20 points off the top ten.
U13 Girls: Woodford A-team 2nd & Woodford B-team 14th
WGEL had 5 girls in a total field of 32 athletes. 20 clubs competed. WGEL athletes Natasha Wynn, Autumn Le-Chevalier Jones, Jasmine Hall and Faye Owers were missing due to fixture clash at Essex CC Champs (they won team silver medals!). However, this did not stop their team mates from hammering out another tremendous Met League performance.
With the missing WGEL girls previous Met race winners Jorjia March (Barnet), Posie Shaw (SHB) and Kira Corkin (Heathside) were set to battle it out at front. On this occasion it was Shaw who took out the early running. In fact, Shaw held a narrow lead throughout. March, did launch a last minute attack, but Shaw held firm to win the race. Shaw was just 3 seconds ahead of second placed March. Corkin (Heathside) was 10 seconds behind in third.
Behind the leaders, WGEL athlete Tess Noblet was running well. Tess was involved in a great battle with a chasing group including Amie Van Zyl (Hillingdon AC), fourth at Welwyn and Izzy Lyons (Highgate) who was sixth. Tess’s training has kicked on in recent weeks. Armed with this fitness, she was able to turn the tables on her opponents. Looking strong and determined as ever, Tess bossed the front of this pack and by the finish had put 12 seconds on them. Tess was first home for WGEL A-Team in 7th place. Excellent.
Next home for WGEL was Eliza Bridges (13th). Eliza has been racing fit with a number of School fixtures. This was her first Met league race of season and it was a great run. Eliza looked controlled and has great running form. She’s a talented athlete and with a bit more confidence in her racing ability could be top ten finisher.
Right behind Eliza was WGEL athlete Caitlin Hancock who once again stepped up to help her team despite preferring the track. Caitlin is made of tough stuff and dare say it, looked comfortable on the grass of Uxbridge. Enjoying her cross country with team mates. Her sprint finish saw her pass two athletes in the final 50m to secure 17th place. Tremendous.
Closing WGEL A-Team was Daisy Sherrin (28th) in a contender for run of the day. Daisy is lower age group U13and trains once a week with the team. Daisy’s passion is football and she looked at home running on the football pitches of Uxbridge!
Daisy’s fabulous run meant WGEL A-Team finished 2nd on the day. Overall, they fell to second in the league but only 12 points behind leaders Heathside. This was a great result given the circumstances.
Opening WGEL B-Team Ella Traynor (32nd). Ella was disappointed with her run, such is the improvement she is making. This is a good sign and as Ella continues to find her cross country legs in her first season of racing a future top 20- finish is not out of the question. Sadly, due to depleted numbers WGEL B-Team was unable to complete but despite a 17th place finish on the day, Ella's points meant they retained a very respectable ninth position overall.
U11 Girls: Woodford A-team 1st & Woodford B-team 11th
WGEL had 6 girls in a total field of 27 athletes. 14 clubs competed. Olivia Grant (Phoenix) and Isabella Marriott (Trent Park) winners of previous races were on the start line. From the gun these two took out the running joined by surprise leader Quinn Bookless (Cookham) and a quartet of WGEL athletes.
Eva Prince, in her first Met League race led the charge for WGEL. Eva has been managing a heel injury in recent months, but was deemed fit for this race and had won at Chingford League (Trent Park) the previous weekend. She was on fine form again at Uxbridge!
Keeping to the heels of Bookless (Cookham), Eva opened a 5 second gap on the chasing pack which included both winners of previous races. Eva’s graceful running style is coupled with a steely determination and despite Bookless getting away over the final stretch to win, Eva’s sprint finish meant she crossed the line just 10 seconds behind to take second place.
WGEL trio of Zoe Wright, Sophia Parker and Sofia Sneath were all packed beautifully right behind the leaders. Starting steadily, Zoe Wright came through at half way to lead the trio. Zoe was disappointed in the Chingford league last weekend but was back on form at Uxbridge! At the end Zoe pulled away from Elise Fitzgerald (Hillingdon AC) and stormed into the finish in pursuit of third. On this occasion Grant (Phoenix) held third and Zoe was just seconds behind to take 4th place. Zoe was 5th at Claybury and 3rd at Welwyn and having a tremendous season!
Flying in behind Zoe was Sophia Parker. This was another sparkling run from Sophia who took 6th on the day. Sophia, has been training well and is starting to really show signs of ability to race! Well done. Closing the A-Team (4 to score) in an incredible 7 places was Sofia Sneath (7th). This was her best run in a WGEL vest! Sofia has found her training legs in recent weeks. The slight increase in volume but more importantly consistency is now converting into excellent race performances!
The A-Team was first on the day and increased their lead at the top of the overall table to 125 points.
Opening the B-Team was Gracie Fayinka (12th) who despite arriving late with a mad scramble to the start ran fantastically. Gracie is talented all round athlete. She trains only once a week but has a tremendous attitude and should be proud of her 12th place. A spot in the top ten is not far off!
WGEL athlete Amani Clegg (26th) was next home. Amani is improving quickly. With a bit more racing experience she will start to close the gaps on those ahead. Unfortunately, again due to depleted squad numbers WGEL B-team was unfinished, but with the points the girls did score they helped the B-team hold sixth place in league.
U11 Boys: Woodford A-team 10th
WGEL had 2 athletes from a field of 39 in total. 14 clubs competed. The race got off to a flyer. At the front was overall leader Jack Hayward (ESM). Archie Charles (Cookham) in his first appearance of season was close behind with Marcus Muers (ESM). The front two of Hayward and Charles led throughout and it was Hayward in the end who took the win ahead of Charles.
Behind these two a great battle was taking place in the chasing pack with WGEL athlete Oskar Prince (7th) in amongst it! Oskar had given it his all keeping up with this pack. He literally collapsed over the finish line! Muers eventually won the battle taking third with Oskar just behind Willis (Heathside) in 4th, Kasper (SHB) in 5th and Greenwood (Trent Park) in 6th place. Only 5 seconds separated these boys. This was a tremendous run from Oskar, improving on his 11th place at Welwyn.
Next home for WGEL was Toby Taylor (38th). Toby missed the start due to traffic. However, his determination to race was clear. He took to the start line despite everyone else having started. He ran the entire course in pursuit of points for the team! As Toby’s coach and team manager, I followed him every step of the way. He gave it his all. He was devastated at the end but had finished and collected points for his team. Toby’s determination and dedication is an enduring ability that will see him go well in his future as an athlete!
Sadly, with no more runners WGEL did not complete its A-Team. However, Oskar and Toby’s brilliant efforts ensured they scored points finished 10th on the day. With two fixtures to go the team are only 10 points off third place. It’s all top play for if we can get athletes on the start line!
The next Met League (Race 4) is at Wormwood Scrubs on Saturday 15th January 2022