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Essex CC Champs, Basildon, Sat 6th January

So after days of continuous rain, Saturday greeted us with some sunshine. For the first time the event had music, a commentator and a 45 metre marquee to run through twice on each lap. The course itself was tough, with most circuits taking in three sharp climbs, not ideal at all for the track superstars. Plus sharp turns and straw bales to jump over.

For WGEL we were without the services of top athletes such as Joel Doye U20 (recovering from COVID) Abigail Reid U17 (slight thigh strain) Kezia Beeton U20(tendinopathy) and Oscar Eaton U15 (family skiing). We hope to have these back in action very soon. On the plus side we had a great debut from one of our U15 athletes, George Worwood.

Despite this it was a good day for the athletes, four gaining automatic selection for Essex, two team medals and an individual bronze medal.

U20 Men

Nathan Wright toed the line for his first race as an U20 athlete with another two years to go in this age group. He had been unwell soon after his excellent 25th at the last Met League, but he seems to be over this now. The favourite, Henry Dover, broke away immediately .He had won the European XC trials last November. A pack of four, including Nathan, grouped behind. Over the hills on both 4K laps Nathan was battling it out with Finn Ratlay, who had been performing with distinction at the Essex League Senior Mens races recently. In the end Finn just prevailed in 4th place, leaving Nathan 5th, but with automatic selection for the UK Inter Counties in March.

Nathan Wright early on

U17 Girls

This was a good day for the Woodettes. International Lyla Belshaw soon broke away, with a group of five next in line including three of our girls. This was a 5.2 k course including six brutal climbs. Molly Sherrin, in a football academy, again performed brilliantly and in all honesty the course suited her. Molly dug deep to clinch an individual bronze medal with team mate Emily Caton passing two athletes very late on to place an excellent 5th, both girls gaining automatic Essex selections. Anaand Tratt hung on as well as she could to clinch 9th spot, and Summer Maw was 15th to give the girls silver medals on the day, losing by just six points to Chelmsford. Never to be overlooked is Matilda Frith - always there, rain or shine, and the former Essex Schools athlete placed 22nd.

Under 17 Men

This was a loaded field headed by International athletes and one the toughest fields I’ve ever witnessed at these championships. The boys are great team players and turn out, rain or shine, to support WGEL. Nate Harding led the team home in 16th spot followed by Joshua Ssempira 17th and William Muffatt 18th. Backed up well by boxer Joe Oates in 25th spot, they placed 4th team. Like Matilda Frith, Joseph Arnold is another great team player who came 35th.

Under 15 Boys

This team looked good and although without the services of fast improving Oscar Eaton they so nearly pulled off the team title. The winner, George Watkins from Harlow, scored an excellent victory and his slight frame just skipped over the mud and hills of Gloucester Park. Harry Stockill led in the Woodies, by his own admission a course not to his liking at all, but nevertheless was only just over half a minute in arrears of the Harlow lad. Luka Norden was next, lying 6th most of the way but he just could not quite hang on to his forward position and finished 7th, but hopefully he will join Harry in the Essex Team. Luka is rapidly returning to his best following an injury from last Autumn. Daniel Arnold was disappointed with 15th place but it was explained to him afterwards that even this sort of performance in two weeks time could get him to his first All England Schools XC. Our final scorer was a debutant and what a run as he is only bottom year - George Worwood, who placed 3rd in the West Essex Schools XC last month, joined WGEL and placed 16th in his first ever race for WGEL. Josh Stephenson, introduced to WGEL along with Oscar by Harry,  continues to make great strides and was right behind George in 17th. Further great support was shown by Stephen Ng 24th, Lucas Freedman 27th and Ethan Day 36th. So team-wise it was close. The lads were 2nd, just 4 points adrift of Chelmsford. The boys are now looking forward to having Oscar back as they go to the Southerns in search of further silverware.

From L to R: George, Luka, Daniel, Harry 

U15 Girls

The Woodettes did the same course as the boys. 4.3k including six brutal hills. Jasmine Hall, a National level swimmer, was running for us and as a bottom year athlete she placed a solid 10th. Jasmine's main aim their year is the English Schools but in Hertfordshire schools colours. Ella Traynor continues to improve and this was backed up by an impressive 17th spot. Faye Owers - well done for supporting us on a course not suited to track runners at all but she got round, all smiles too, for 21st. Juliet Taylor closed the team in 33rd for a team score of 81 points, equal with City of Southend but we must have lost out on bronze because their last scorer finished higher than ours. So unlucky, girls, because you deserved medals! Darcy Mackenzie was also out for us, battling hard for 41st place.

A good day overall as we now focus on the Met League next Saturday at Welwyn Garden.