A FANTASTIC day was had by Tavistock AC at Exeter Arena as they lifted the senior men?s County Cross Country team trophy for the first time ever. The race has been going since the 1920s and has the names of the big clubs such as Exeter Harriers and Plymouth all over it ? but now Tavistock have added their mark. Throughout the afternoon Tavistock athletes had performed exceptionally well, but it was the last race that brought the crowning glory to Tavistock. Conditions were heavy underfoot on the undulating parkland course for the first race, the senior women?s. Fiona Dunn was just run out of the medal positions but finished a highly creditable 4th to pick up a county selection for the forthcoming Inter County Championships. The next race was the Under 13 Girls where Laura Aspen picked up fifth place and gained her county selection. With the course cutting up badly the next race was the Under 13 boys. Tavistock were missing their leading runner, Tom Lawson; but Jake Rendle in 6th pulled out a gutsy performance. Man of the race was Matt McNamara Waddington who flew through the field with a late charge to finish 8th. With Nick Champion making the 3rd man home in 14th Tavistock picked up the silver medal. With the Senior Men and Under 20 men running together over the 7.5 mile course, and further deterioration to the ground, the race was always going to be a battle of strength. Adam Holland performed well to pick up 6th place in the Under 20 men. But it was newcomer Jim Cole who led the senior men?s charge with a fantastic 8th place in his first county championship. Closely followed by Richard Drage (10th) and the new found speed of Chris Champion 16th things were looking good for Tavistock. Despite losing Tony Symons with an injury after 5 miles the Tavy boys rallied and Steve Groombridge battled to 20th, Chris Eastaugh 23rd and the final counter was Robin Musgrave in 27th. Full results: Senior Women: 4th, Fiona Dunn; 18th Angela Sykes. Under 13 Girls: 5th, Laura Aspen. Under 13 Boys: 6th, Jake Rendle; 8th, Matt McNamara-Waddington; 14th, Nick Champion. 2nd U13 Boys Team overall. Under 17 Women: 10th, Suzy Blandford. Under 20 Men: 6th, Adam Holland. Senior Men: 8th, Jim Cole; 10th, Richard Drage (1st Vet 45); 16th, Chris Champion; 20th, Steve Groombridge (1st Vet 50); 23rd, Chris Eastaugh (3rd Vet 40); 27th, Robin Musgrave (2nd Vet 55); 37th, Pete Bazley; 41st, Mike Lewis (2nd vet 60). 1st Senior Men Team overall and 1st Vets Team (Drage, Groombridge, Eastaugh).
