Harriers roar around Lyons in storming win
MORPETH IN TWO-MINUTE VICTORY GAP
MORPETH Harriers had no difficulty in retaining their North East Counties Road Relay Championship title at Hetton Lyons Park despite fielding a team devoid of many star names.
The Northumbrians took control on stage two of the 6x2.2-mile contest and were never headed after that to come home almost two minutes clear of Tyne Bridge Harriers, with New Marske finishing strongly to take the bronze awards.
New Marske, with Dom Shaw posting the day’s fastest overall time of the day, led at the first changeover with Sunderland’s Andy Powell in second place ahead of Birtley’s Adrian Bailes, who contested a 5k race in Armagh, Northern Ireland 48 hours earlier.
Morpeth were in fourth place thanks to Kieran Hedley, who posted the fastest time of their sextet with a time of 10min 58secs.
Karl Taylor moved Morpeth into pole position on leg two, with Sunderland consolidating second place thanks to Kevin Jeffress.
Birtley were still third (Kieran Reay) with New Marske slipping back to fourth ahead of Jarrow and Hebburn.
On leg three, Sam Hancox continued to lead for Morpeth, with Tyne Bridge (Tom Charlton) moving into second spot after the Tynesiders started the day in 10th position.
New Marske moved into third (Dean Newton) as Birtley drifted out of contention.
Lewis Timmins extended Morpeth’s advantage going into the second half of the event with Lee Gif- ford keeping Tyne Bridge in contact in second spot as Sean Mackie moved Sunderland into third place ahead of New Marske, with Gateshead in fifth.
Ian Harding extended Morpeth’s lead further on the penultimate stage, with Tyne Bridge (James Dunce) consolidating second place ahead of Sunderland, Gateshead, Jarrow and Hebburn and New Marske.
On the final leg, Tom Straughan strolled to another Morpeth success – their sixth in a row – as Sparrow Morley kept Tyne Bridge in silvermedal position.
The biggest mover on the last stage was Lewis Gamble-Thompson, who moved New Marske up from sixth to third, pushing Jarrow and Hebburn and Gateshead out of a podium finish.
Jarrow and Hebburn denied Morpeth a double victory by winning the women’s 4x2.2-mile championship.
The South Tyneside quartet of Elaine Leslie, Alex Sneddon, Georgia Campbell and Steph Pattinson denied the Northumbrians by 19 seconds with guest club Richmond and Zetland finishing in third place.
However, the visitors forfeited the bronze medals which were awarded to Darlington.