THE third of the Brooks Westward League cross-country meetings was held at St Austell on Sunday and it was not an occasion for the faint-hearted. The exposed course was subject to gusting 35 mph north-westerly winds which made for challenging conditions. This did not deter the Tavistock Athletic Club runners, 36 of whom took part. In the first race Heather Fell showed her continuing improved form finishing in fifth place. The next Tavistock runners home were Sammy Fraser finishing in a strong overall 17th position and Laura Aspen in 23rd - both girls running as Under 17 ladies. Sue Bratchley finished 24th followed by Rebecca Deane in 26th place and Sarah Aspen in 43rd place. The Tavistock club also enjoyed good team results in the U17 men?s race. Tom Gill turned out despite feeling unwell and finished in a creditable fifth followed by Matt McNamara-Waddington in 11th and Owen Drage in 15th. In the U13 girls? race Claire Fraser was disappointed to finish as the third runner home having set such high standards in previous races but Sarah Hornby showed improved form to finish in an excellent sixth. Emma Champion also ran well finishing in eighth, followed by Annabel Longden in 14th. In the U13 boys? Harry Eaton finished in an excellent second followed by Dan Quick in ninth, Sam Lloyd in 17th, Seth McNamara-Waddington in 19th and Miles Eastaugh in 21st. The next event was the senior men?s race and again the strength of the Tavistock club was reflected by six runners finishing in the top 20. Peter Freedman ran a great race finishing in second place, followed by fellow triathlete Harry Wiltshire sixth. Richard Drage recorded his best of the season finishing in 10th place with Jay Horton in 13th, Tony Symons 16th, Chris Champion 19th, Adam Holland 24th, Rupert Warren 26th, Martin Exley 35th, Chris Eastaugh 38th, Charlie Lloyd 41st, Robin Musgrave 57th and Peter Bazley in 51st place. In the U15 girls? race Rebecca Windemer also had a tremendous race recording a second place finish for a Tavistock athlete. In the final race of the day the Tavistock U15 boys were out in force with five runners dominating the team numbers. Nick Champion was fourth and Sam Straughan eighth. George Speak finished in ninth place but this was an excellent run for the North Tawton junior who has only recently started running with the club. Ben Brown finished strongly in 11th place and Sam Eaton finishing in 13th. l PIctured above: The Tavistock A C senior men?s squad.
