Met League 5, Trent Park: U15/17
Trent Park was at its muddy worst following all the recent rain, but there was a fine turn out of 13 Woodies and 5 Woodettes.
The Junior Men were off first with a field of just under 80 runners. At the end of the first full lap both Harry Stockill and Oscar Eaton were in a group of nine runners at the front. Harry was racing off limited training due to a “dead leg” at rugby the weekend before. Oscar, who trains with Harry, was having a great race. Coming out of the woods Oscar had got away from his team mate, running an inspired race in 6th spot. Passing the Barnet athlete soon afterwards, he claimed 5th spot overall and 2nd U15. Harry did well sticking to the task with a stitch, placing 9th and 4th U15. Nate Harding had a good run, closing fast at the end for 12th overall and 7th U17. Daniel Arnold, as always running a very good, controlled race, placed 19th and 10th U15. That closed the team which won on the day from rivals SBH.
Joe Oates was suffering from nausea mid-race, but rallied well for 27th and 14th U17. The next two were locked together for the whole race but ran inspired races. They were Yuvan Kumar 29th and 15th U15, followed closely by Josh Stephenson 31st and 16th U15. A welcome return to racing after injury was Aidan O’Driscoll who ran well in his first race back for 32nd and 16th U17. That closed our second team who were 7th on the day. Some great packing there, lads!
Poor Josh Ssempiira who was only turning out after illness but took a heavy fall during the race. Yet he had the guts to finish in 34th and 18th U17. Next in was a reliable athlete who is always on the start line - Vlad Kalinins in 36th and 19th U17. Lucas Freedman, who ran a huge 800 metres during the week in 2 mins 12 secs, probably took a dislike to the heavy going. Nevertheless he placed 37th and 18th U15. The weekend before Lucas was a fine 25th in the Schools Inter Counties wearing his Essex colours for the first time. Stephen Ng, who is progressing very nicely at pole vault, closed our third team who were 9th. Stephen was 44th and 22nd U15.
Rahual Solanki will always support WGEL, wherever that may be. He was 66th and 35th U15. Rahual will now look forward to playing his part in the YDL this summer.
Although we won on the day we were still 100 points adrift of SBH overall across the five matches. The individual league table based on four performances during the season saw the fast improving Oscar Eaton in 2nd spot.
In the Junior Women we had five girls. Four of these must be hugely praised as they have supported WGEL at all five fixtures, barring two who each missed one fixture due to illness. They have turned out rain or shine and we are so grateful for their presence which has actually played a huge part in WGEL placing 2nd in the league table behind a very strong London Heathside in first place. This is an age group where athletes fall away from the sport but these four train together and support one another.
Emily Caton led the team home in 10th spot and 3rd U17. This was a welcome return for Emily who has the Inter Counties to look forward next month. Ella Traynor, one of the four who have been great supporters, was 14th and 9th U15. She had a great run. Tess Noblet was next in 19th and 13th U15, followed by Juliet Taylor who was 27th and 18th U15. Matilda Frith was 30th and 10th U17. What a pity there are no silver medals for these girls because they deserve something for all their efforts.
So overall across all age groups we had to give way this season to SBH who finished with 105 points to our 102 points after five overall wins. VPH, who were previously 3rd, were some way behind with 86 points.