The Scotsman

Joshua finds his smaller rival poses big problems

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Andydougla­shasareput­ation as one of GB’S leading hill runners, with a string of team medals achieved at World and European level.

But on Saturday he proved his value to his club, Inverclyde AC, as a flying start on the first leg set up victory in the senior men’s race at the Lindsays National XC Relays.

Record entries made it the biggest day in Scottish cross country for more than quarter of a century at Cumbernaul­d and the event did not disappoint – with Central AC’S five-year run of dominance in the men’s race finally ended.

Inverclyde were the last club to win it prior to Central AC, back in 2011, and they did so again thanks to that fine start by Douglas followed by the runs of John Bell, Ross Gray and Craig Ruddy. A week earlier, Douglas had been on a podium in Italy when Scotland took third place in a high-class internatio­nal hill running event.

Holders Edinburgh Uni Hare and Hounds retained their golds in the women’s race while Edinburgh AC successful­ly defended the Young Females title. Giffnock North AAC took the Young Males race with a stirring anchor leg run from Hamish Armitt, with Eilidh Doyle on hand to present the medals.

Inverclyde establishe­d an early lead Douglas and, although Aberdeen AAC later came from fourth to second with a last-leg surge from Michael Ferguson, Ruddy brought it home. Central had to settle for third and the bronzes this time.

Fife AC’S Logan Rees and Shettlesto­n’s Lachlan Oates were others to have very impressive individual times on the final leg.

“It was a great team effort and we were delighted to take the golds,’ said Douglas. “We came here feeling we might have a medal chance but thought it was quite an open race – five or six clubs will have felt they had a chance of winning. It’s great for guys like John Bell and Ross Gray who have come through the ranks of the club.”

 ??  ?? 2 Anthony Joshua displays his belts alongside his father, Robert Joshua, following his tenth-round stoppage of Carlos Takam in Cardiff on Saturday night.
2 Anthony Joshua displays his belts alongside his father, Robert Joshua, following his tenth-round stoppage of Carlos Takam in Cardiff on Saturday night.

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