Press Report 26th November 2007

Ilford Athletic Club put up a strong performance despite missing a couple of their prolific performers in the third fixture of the Essex Cross Country League held at Basildon's Gloucester Park on Saturday. With their star man Malcolm Muir sidelined and reduced to just a supporting role due to a heavy cold and captain Darren Bottrill unable to attend it was left to Rob Nixon to assume the mantle leading the mens troops home in 9th position out of 20 competing teams and some 160 runners.

 

Nixon, although still somewaht below peak fitness, nevertheless made a welcome return making  an expolsive start on the flat 1st small loop of the 7.3k course. However with the large hills taking their toll on the two large laps his under 20 teammate, Carlos Pinilla,  was able to close to within striking distance on the last big climb. Nixon however had saved enough for his sprint strength to prevail coming home in 12th place with Pinilla just behind in 13th.

 

Youngster Iain Macdonald put in a gutsy performance for a hard-earned 47th place with veteran Neil Crisp next Ilford man home in 60th. Andy Catton, clearly saving himself for next week's county veterans race, crossed the line in 79th leaving the last scoring place for marathon man Steve Parker in 105th at the forefront of the over 50's contingent comprising John Platt, 109th, Brian Meadows 112th and John Mackenzie 114th. Henry Ricketts, 119th,  emerged the victor of a "do or die" battle with Steve Cheal, 121st, to complete the men's finishers.

 

The women's squad enjoyed an excellent afternoon finishing 8th out of the 17 ladies teams. Veteran Bree Nordin recorded her highest finish of the campaign with a pleasing 19th overall and must surely be a strong contender for one of the county vets medal places next week. Three Ilford girls were locked in a battle for 2nd Ilford Lady home with the lead constantly changing between Victoria Morgan, Nicola Hopkinson and Dianne Crisp. In the end it was the experience of Crisp that came through in 38th, with Morgan and Hopkinson chasing her to the line in 39th and 40th respectively. Sally Gillam was back in 45th on not her favourite of courses and Pam Jones, back from international duty, closed the squad home.

 

Earlier in the U13 boys race the club's young stars continued to learn their trade over a 3.1k loop with Thomas King coming home in 19th place from George Hadler in 38th out of 43 runners. A similar sized field contested the Under 15 boys but over a slightly longer 4.2k. Here Liam Leddy acquitted himself well to turn the tables on clubmate Jack Webb and after an interesting battle, finishing 34th and 36th respectively. Alex Richards completed the Ilford trio finishing 42nd.  

 

The club now look forward to hosting the County Vets Cross Country Championships to be held at Chigwell Row next Saturday - the first race starts at 12 noon.