Met League 2: Strength of the Wolf is in its Pack!
Clashes with school sports fixtures and busy family schedules resulted in a lower than usual turnout for WGEL juniors at Wormwood Scrubs on Sat 12th Nov. In the U11-U13 races WGEL had 25 athletescompeting. Down from 44 in the opening fixture at Claybury. However, the squad showed the strength of its pack to produce some excellent results on the day. Retaining the club’s overall leading positions in and around the top of the league tables.
Course Report
U11’s ran a flat, grassy 2km loop on the sports fields at Scrubs. U13’s ran an extended loop for 3km. The weather was warm. Conditions were dry underfoot.
Race Results
Results: Wormwood-scrubs-results-12-11-2022
U13 Boys Race Report
WGEL had 8 athletes in a total field of 36.James Branch (Herts Phoenix) followed his win at Claybury with a victory at Scrubs. He finished ahead of Caleb Hilton (SBH) and Dylan Lewis (Hill). These three were 15 seconds clear of the chasing pack.
This pack contained WGEL’s Daniel Arnold (7th),who was first home for WGEL in 11mins 10s. Daniel was pipped on the line in a great tussle with Fellows (VPTH) and Lessard (VPTH). Callum Clydesdale (17th) was next home in 11mins 59s. Callum enjoyed the flat grass surface. His speed coming into the finish was remarkable and he took 4 places in the last 100m. Stephen Ng (25th) was next back in 12mins 07s. He was disappointed but has been consistent in his training and remains a core member of the A-team. Tayo Adetona (30th) had his best race of the season, running 12mins 06s making his first appearance in and closing the WGEL A-team.
WGEL B-team was opened by Rahul Solanki (31st) in 12mins 24s. Toby Taylor (33rd) and Lucas Freedman (35th) packed well behind Rahul. They worked hard together with Charlie Howes (46th) just behind them closing the B-team in 13mins 37s.
WGEL A-team finished 5th (159 points) on the day and retained 2ndoverall behind Shaftesbury Barnet. WGEL B-team was 9th (99 points) and moved up to 8th overall in the table.
U13 Girls Race report
WGEL had 7 athletes in a total field of 44. Jasmine Hall (2nd) led WGEL home in 11mins 50s. This was a fine performance. Jasmine finished ahead of Ellian Ponkratieva (SMR) who was second at Claybury. Alya Johnson (ESM) continued her winning start to the season with an impressive victory in 11mins 29s.
Sophia Parker (19th) was next home for WGEL in 13mins 12s. This was a good run from Sophia who was 3rd overall in U11 competition last season. Marissa Higgs-Smith (24th) was right behind in 13mins 56s. Marissa helped close WGEL A-team with debutant Mayan Boulogne (26th) who ran a superbly timed and well controlled race in her first met league outing.
Isla Barron (36th) opened WGEL B-team in 14mins 34s. This was a leap forward for Isla who is training well and improved on 44th at Claybury. Sofia Sneath (40th) was next in 14mins 53s and is gaining confidence as she returns to racing. Closing the team was Tyleah Edwards (43rd) in 15mins 44s. Tyleah is another young athlete gaining confidence and continues to move forward in her training. Unfortunately a low turnout meant the B-team was incomplete.
WGEL A-team finished 4th(109 points) on the day and remain 2nd overall behind ESM. WGEL B-team was 13th(16 points) and are 14th overall in the league table.
U11 Boys Race report
WGEL had 5 athletes in a total field of 55. Oskar Prince (8th) followed his 6th place at Claybury with another fine run to lead WGEL A-team home in 6mins 31s. It was a frantic finish. Six athletes dived across the line with just 5 seconds separating them all. The winner, Luis Da Silva (TVH), ran 6mins 17s. He finished ahead of the winner at Claybury, Ben Kasper (SHB). Dylan Jones (ESM) was third in 6mins 23s. Oskar has his eyes on that podium!
Jack Arnold (38th) was next home for WGEL in 7mins 47s. This was a superb run from Jack. He is a lower age group athlete and improved on his 41st place at Claybury. This was his first time in the scoring A-team. WGEL boys packed well behind Jack. Blake Edwards (40th) was one second behind and improving with every race. Daniel Hayden (43rd) and Jack Tonge (44th) were then next for WGEL. They finished neck and neck with Daniel taking it on the line and closing the A-team. Both boys were timed at 8mins 01s. Jack opened WGEL B-team, but unfortunately due to a low turnout WGEL B- team was left incomplete.
WGEL A-team was 7th(95 points) and remain in contention for medals in 4th place overall just 16 points behind ESM in third. Shaftesbury Barnet extended their lead at the top with another victory (204 points). WGEL B-team was 18th (12 points) and slipped to 13thplace overall.
U11 Girls
WGEL had 6 athletes in a total field of 36. Eva Prince (3rd) was again in sparkling form, claiming a podium place for the first time. Violet Muraidhar (ESM), the winner at Claybury, won again in 6mins 38s. Elsie Fitzgerald (Hillingdon) was second in 6mins 42s. Eva ran 6mins 45s and was in contention all the way. She closed the margin between herself and Fitzgerald by 18 seconds in this race vs. Claybury and will be looking to move past her in races ahead!
WGEL’s Gracie Fayinka (4th) had a stormer! Gracie was next home in 6mins 59s. Gracie moved through the field and coming into the final straight found herself just off the front three, but clear of the chasing pack. She did well to keep focused and finished strongly to hold her position. Rosie Barron (12th) had an equally impressive run coming home in 7mins 41s. Rosie has stepped up from Wasps and flourishing in her first season as an U11. Lydia Sneath (25th) was next home closing the A-team in 8mins 23s. Lydia (and Rosie) is a lower age group runner and they are improving with each race as they build their experience.
WGEL B-team was opened by Maia Lalani (27th) in 8mins 35s. Maia could be one of the most improved athletes in the U11 squad. A recent Wasp graduate, she keeps moving up the placings. Team-mate Simi Adetona (08:41) was just behind in 8mins 41s. Unfortunately, due to a low turnout, WGEL B-team was incomplete.
WGEL A-team finished 2ndon the day(104 points) and remain top of table overall ahead of ESM and Shaftesbury Barnet. WGEL B-team was10th on the day (60 points) and remain 10th overall.
Next Met League: Uxbridge (Saturday 3rd December)