The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Yaxley prefer strength in depth to superstars
Yaxley Runners ran into form in the countryside around March on Sunday as they finished second in round four of the Frostbite League and vaulted over Peterborough & Nene Valley AC and Cambridge & Coleridge AC to move up to second place in the league table.
The race was something of a procession for league champions elect Hunts AC as race winner Dave Hudson lead them to a massive victory with eight of the first 13 men over the line. The Hunts ladies also dominated their race with Lucy Mapp first lady over the line with two of her teammates also making the top five.
PANVAC’s Phil Martin was the leading local finishing in sixth place, with Steve Wilkinson his nearest teammate in 15th place. The club were weakened due to their participation in the North Midlands League the previous day.
Werrington’s Jack Green finished eighth, and was the only other local in the top 10.
Yaxley may not have any superstars in their ranks, but they boast a squad with strength in depth. This is a perfect ingredient for success in the Frostbite League and they had nine men finishing between 16th and 58th positions. Danny Snipe took 16th spot with Darren Hillier 22nd and Darren Wells 29th.
It was a similar show from the Yaxley ladies with Gina Crane heading their contingent when placing ninth. Roslyn Loutit finished 13th with Clare Piercey two places further back.
Thorney’s Kelly Maddy also ran well taking 11th spot.
PANVAC faired better in the junior race finishing as runners up to Hunts AC, with Thorney AC a close third. These are also the positions which the three clubs hold in the league table.
Thorney’s Tobias Goodwin finished in third spot, with his brother Elijah ninth and Luke Maddy 11th. Yaxley’s Harry Friend placed seventh.
PANVAC’s Josh Smith was eighth, two places ahead of Jasper Dunham.
Werrington’s Millie Doud was fourth girl with PACTRAC’S Elizabeth Eames fifth. Rosie Ackerman of Thorney was eighth with PANVAC’s Izzy Hurn coming home in 10th.
FRUSTRATION AND ELATION PANVAC completed their North Midlands Cross Country League campaign at Mansfield, returning home with mixed emotions of frustration and elation.
The frustration came about because several junior runners who were chasing team or individual honours fell victim to a clash of fixtures, and their school commitments took priority.
Louie Hemmings was one runner feeling elated despite suffering a rare defeat, albeit by an opponent one year older than himself. Hemmings ran strongly to finish second and win the runner of the series title in his under 13 age group.
Finlay Smith ran well to place fourth in the boys under 11 race while Niamh Rushton was 15th under 17 girl.
PANVAC’S veteran men finished first on the day with the seniors in fifth. Both teams placed second in the overall standings to cap a fine season.
Alex Hampson was third senior man and finished second in the runner of the series competition. Nathan Bunting placed 12th with Luke Brown 21st. They were followed by veterans Simon Fell 24th, Dan Lewis 27th, and Kirk Brawn 34th.
Sarah Caskey continued her fine form of late when finishing as third senior lady with Chloe Finlay coming home ninth. Finlay finished fourth in the runner of the series stakes.