ROUND four of the Frank Elfords’ Sports Westward Cross Country League took place on Sunday at Westward Ho!

Over the past few years this course has proved unpopular – not only for its testing salt marsh terrain (including many ditches), but because of its horizontal rain and brutal winds. Although forecast, the horrendous weather did not materialise and runners just had to contend with gusting 20mph onshore winds!

In the first race, the Under 11 boys and girls had six Tavistock athletes and it was Noah Bridle who was first home for the club in 23rd place; Nicolas Maczugowski suffered like many other runners on the day by losing a shoe in the mud, but gamely got going again to finish 46th.

In the U13 girls the club unfortunately had only two athletes – Krystine Cade and Issy Page, who had great runs to finish seventh and eighth respectively. In the U13 boys it was again unfortunate that the club had only two runners – Joe Dix (8th) and Dan Luckham (10th) both ran strongly over the 4km course. Tilly McDowell made a welcome return following a broken collar bone to finish 21st. The U15 boys had a strong team – they’ve been working well together all season.

Oliver Smart (third) just got the better of Brad Stevens (fourth) after battling for the only race and Jacob Hegarty (sixth). All three will have given their individual league standings a boost and will have moved into second in the league.

In the U17 boys Edward Smart pipped Michael Barton again in finishing eighth and ninth respectively.

In the senior women Sam Lake had her best race of the season to finish 26th overall and this helped her challenge to claim the veteran 35 category league title.

Jenny Sabine (52nd) and Tracey Oxborough (52nd) also ran strongly. Tracey is challenging hard for a silver or gold in her age category. Cathy Dunlop. who has been struggling with a cold, was the fourth runner home for the club in 71st.

The last race of the day was the senior mens over a 8.6km course. Jim Cole battled well to overtake three on the last lap and finished fourth overall. Next in was Martin Exley-Deane (33rd) who cemented his position at the top of his vet category. He was chased hard by Paul Hegarty (42nd) who was third in the vet 45 category going into the race. Undoubtedly Hegarty will have helped his league points with this performance.

Henry Ware, former club junior, made a return to running with the club and did well to finish 70th. Alistair Peers was just behind him in 72nd. Dr Dave Harris was 81st home, despite a bad fall which dislocated a left finger. The doctor quickly re-set the finger before carrying on with his race! Final TAC runner home was Bob Chapman (93rd) who also will have added valuable points to his individual league category place.

RESULTS: U11 girls and boys, Noah Bridle 23, Nicolas Maczugowski 46, Thomas Harris 63, Emma Luckham 69, Freya Page 78, Lara Dix 79. U13 girls: Krystine Cade 7, Issy Page 8. U13 boys, Joe Dix 8, Dan Luckham 10. U15 girls, Tilly McDowell 21. U15 boys, Oliver Smart 3, Bradley Stevens 4, Jacob Hegarty 6. U17 boys, Edward Smart 8, Michael Barton 9. Senior women, Sam Lake 26, Jenny Sabine 52, Tracey Oxborough 59, Cathy Dunlop 59. Senior men, Jim Cole 4, Martin Exley-Deane 33, Paul Hegarty 42, Henry Ware 70, Alistair Peers 72, David Harris 81, Bob Chapman 93.