The second of the Essex cross country fixtures held at Basildon's Gloucester Park saw Chelmsford win three of the age categories. First of these was to be the under 13 girls as they were led home by Isla Kehoe with her second place. Beatrix Cooke was not far behind in sixth place and then Jessica Hobson 12th and Zenobia Williams 15th brought a total score of 35 points - just three ahead of S S Atthletics with Brentwood a further three down.
The under 17 women saw a very easy victory for with only three scoring at this age level our trio were all in the first four finishers, Daisy Stollery won the event with a time 75 seconds ahead of the field. Jessica Walker placed third and Emma Cox fourth whilst Katie Cox was close by in reserve with a ninth place. Although far from full strength the senior men took their second win and look well set to take the second division title. Joseph Grange (under 20) led them home with a second place Callum Charleston in Chelmsford colours finished 3rd alas didn’t score as he’s a 2nd claim athlete with Tom Rehal sixth. Veteran Nick Hunter was next through in 78th spot with Thomas Murphy 81st, Peter Tullett 150th, Paul Grange 152nd, Marcus Hunt 162nd and Mick Bridgeland 206th from the finishers of 267 competitors.
The senior women this time round had to take second spot behind Havering, Rebecca Luxton, third, and again the leading veteran, had support from Rachel Broome 10th with Lucy Nuttall 19th and Sophie McCall 24th both under 20`s completing the scorers. There were other scorers however for Chelmsford were to take the veterans win as they had Wendy King 27th, Laura Durn 31st and Anna Nuttall 36th from the 139 finishers.
There was another good run by Mason Sanford as he won the under 13 boys race well clear of the field. With Jake Boarer 10th, Daniel Smith 27th and James Pollard 27th it was to be a third spot finish for the team. In other categories a full scoring squad was not available ,In the under 15 girls Francesca Phillips did well to finish second with Izzy Eida 4th and Stephanie Smith 13th. For the under 15 boys Daniel Pollard 15th Oscar Stollery 23rd and Khaya Fakazi 33rd lacked that vital fourth member whilst in the under 17 men only Austin Kelly finishing 8th represented Chelmsford.
Although not part of the league the under 11 year races receive good support and it is pleasing to see Chelmsford well represented. In the boys Dylan Law took first place with Freddie Blacketer 3rd, Harris Fuller 7th, Arthur Cooke 12th, Toby Hatt 15th and Henry Ball 24th whilst the girls saw Leila Robinson again finish second. Hannah Hogben 8th, Bailey Kehoe 13th and Olivia Bilby 16th were other finishers.
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Report written by Roy Meadowcroft.
