ON a cold, wet and muddy Sunday, Tavistock Athletic Club demonstrated why its stock continues to rise and why it is the envy of many 'bigger' clubs in the region. As the Brooks Westward Cross Country League reached its penultimate meeting over a challenging woodland course at Parke House, Bovey Tracey, Tavistock athletes were present in abundance. Sunday was about some excellent individual performances but was even more about the unsung heroes of this friendly yet determined club. The junior athletes have continued to improve at every meeting in no small measure due to the enthusiasm of coaches Carrie Lawson and Robin Musgrave. The outstanding U13 boys team again finished in a top position with Sam Eaton ninth, Dan Quick 15th and Sam Lloyd 25th. Not to be outdone, the U13 girls race saw a this season's star performers Claire Fraser and Sarah Hornby claim outstanding second and fifth places, just one week after top 10 finishes in the Devon Schools U14 championship. In the U15 boys, county U14 winner Nick Champion showed his full potential in claiming third place against boys one year older. With typically strong finishes from team mates Matt McNamara-Waddington in sixth and Sam Straughan in 12th, the Tavistock trio further cemented their overall lead in this age group. Performance of the day went to Rebecca Windemer in the U15 girls race. After team-mate Laura Aspen held second place for the opening short lap, Rebecca continued to relish the difficult conditions, overhauling Aspen and numerous other runners to equal her season's best with second place, with Laura Aspen finishing in a gritty sixth. The senior ladies and U17 Girls combined race was noticeable for the strong Tavistock presence. Flora Duffy will be disappointed with her fourth place after losing a shoe to the glutinous mud but she was followed closely by Heather Fell in sixth. In an overall eighth an exhausted Sam Fraser also took second in the U17 ranking. Close behind was the next U17, Sarah Palmer, in 11th — a performance which will further underline her championship second place. In the senior race the Tavistock team was completed by Sue Fraser 20th, Carrie Lawson 32nd and the ever present Karole Champion in 42nd to continue their late bid for a top three team position. The senior men turned out in force to continue their attempt to retain the trophy which they won for the first time last year. After main rivals Bideford were again without some of their top runners, the strength in depth of the Tavistock squad is beginning to tell. Whilst the first five finishers count for the team score, the battle is won further down the order by getting as many runners as possible in front of opposition 'counters' in order to reduce their scores. It is here, in the heart of the team, where the Tavistock team spirit is apparent. Adam Holland (25th) and Pete Bazley (83rd), both ran the day after the Brands Hatch half marathon – where Adam took third place. Ross Shaddick (35th) returned to Devon for this race less than 24 hours after competing in the Surrey League. Exley, Symons and Lloyd competed only one week after taking top places in Torremolinos. At the front, star man Jim Cole claimed third to ensure an individual medal in the championship. The final race will decide which colour. Pete Freedman followed Cole in sixth with Martin Exley in 13th, Richard Drage in 14th and Chris Champion in 17th scoring the remaining team points. Tony Symons' 19th place secured the 2007 Veteran's Category for Tavistock. Other finishers were Dr Charles Lloyd 41st, Paul Sturtridge 47th, Alastair Isaacs 58th, Robin Musgrave 63rd, and Wally Lake 75th. With one round of the league left, the fixture at Bicton, Exeter on March 18 will see final positions decided in both individual and team categories and deserved rewards for the local club.
