BICTON Park near Exeter on Sunday saw the final races of the six venue 2006/2007 Brooks Westward League cross country season. Once again, Tavistock Athletic Club took a large squad to compete with clubs from all over Devon and Cornwall. The afternoon started on a high note with the joint senior ladies and under 17s race. Commonwealth Games triathlete Flora Duffy was never troubled in finishing at the front of the field. Eighth place went to the consistent Heather Fell who has proven to be the backbone of this season's team. Heather was followed closely by Sam Fraser in 10th, underlining her continued improvement this season. The fourth Tavistock finisher was Karole Champion, finishing her sixth race of the series in her highest position of 30th. In the U13 girls Claire Fraser produced another outstanding performance to take third place, with Sarah Hornby bravely hanging on through injury to finish 16th with Katie Martin 22nd. The U13 boys turned in another excellent team performance with Sam Eaton leading the way in fourth position, followed by Ben Brown in 15th, D Quick in 18th and Sam Lloyd in 25th. In the senior mens race a 14 man turnout from Tavistock was again the envy of larger clubs. Despite losing Peter Freedman early on to an ankle injury and Tony Symons to a calf problem, Tavistock runners still featured strongly. First over the line for Tavistock was Jim Cole, though he might have hoped for better than his eighth place. In contrast, continued rich form saw Martin Exley take 10th ahead of Richard Drage in 13th, Adam Holland in 15th, Rupert Warren in 19th, Chris Champion in 21st, Paul Sturtridge in 27th, Charlie Lloyd in 28th, Alastair Isaacs in 35th, Robin Musgrave in 48th, Wally Lake in 53rd and debutant Bill Stacey Norris in 54th. The U15 girls gave a display to match with Laura Aspen looking strong throughout to take a superb sixth place and Rebecca Windemeer refusing to give in to the worsening conditions by taking a plucky 13th. The best was still to come. In the final event of the day, a lightning quick start from the U15 boys team saw Sam Straughan, Nick Champion and Matt McNamara-Waddington lead the field around the initial part of the course. Nick later confessed that their coaches had suggested a faster start and they took them at their word! The tactics certainly paid off as Tavistock's top team this year held on superbly as Nick took fifth, Matt eighth and Sam 10th. After yet another magnificent season, many of the Tavistock athletes were to take league medals as individuals or as team members.
