Saturday 28th October saw the second fixture of the Kent Cross Country League at a wet and muddy Somerhill School, Tonbridge. The Senior Men turned out in force with thirty Medway and Maidstone athletes making it their biggest Senior Men’s team to ever complete in the Kent League.
Following on from his success in the first race, Tewelde Menges was first home for M&M, finishing a close second behind Tonbridge’s James Kingston, who is the reigning National XC Champion.
Next to finish for M&M were Ben Tyler (12th), Andrew Headley (13th) and Jamie Walsh (14th), completing the 4-to-score team that finished 2nd to Tonbridge AC on the day. Anthony Webb (20th and 3rd M45) had another strong run, keeping his place at the top of the M40 standings and Owen Featherstone (28th) won the family race again, beating Callum Featherstone (47th), Cameron Featherstone (49th) and Adam Featherstone (102nd). Richard Tomlinson (57th and 3rd M50) strengthened his hold on 2nd place in the M50 standings. Completing M&M’s 12-to-score team were Daniel St Martin (33rd), Alexander Donnelly (43rd) and Jack Tyler (52nd).
Our U17 men saw Franklin Shepherd contesting his first cross country race of the season due to missing the first event as recently being selected for the England Athletic Youth Talent Programme! Franklin finishing a strong 3rd in a competitive race (17.57). Theo Ronchetti 15th (19.34) Henry Gibson 25th (21.21) and Dominic Wright 39th (26.06). The team finished 3rd in the day.
The course had started to cut up and was trickier underfoot by the time the U15 boys took their turn; Freddie Gibson once again led the team home in 5th place (14:20). He was backed up by Connor Cousins 28th (15:37) and Louie Gear 33rd (15:47), Declan Tighe 44th (16:38), Alfred Moisan 47th (16:52) and Cameron Davis 66th (20:57). The U15 boys finished 5th on the day and are in 4th place after two matches.
With a downpour at the start of the U13 boys not stopping strong performances. Once again led home by Daniel Kershaw in 11th place (11:22). He was followed shortly afterwards by newcomer Ola Ajelara in 20th (11:47) and Jack Gregory in 28th (11:59). The scoring team of three was supported by Logan Smith 32nd (12:03), Oliver Field 39th (12:27) and Ethan Miles 56th (13:15). The team finished in 5th place on the day and are in 4th place after two matches.
The senior ladies’ team had seven athletes toe the line; the most for a few years. First across the line with a strong run was Emily Hale in 13th (35.59). Teammates Karen Cudmore 28th (38.50) and Taryne McPherson (32nd) 39.08 finishing well and completing the 3 to score team in 5th. Vanessa Vander 66th (42.12), Catherine Rodwell 110th (46.19) and Rachael Stuart 131st (50.46) completing the 6 to score and finishing 6th team on the day. Sarah Kenyon (134th) (51.25)The U20 saw similar strong performances to the first match. Ella Webb 3rd (19.38), Abigail Royden 5th (20.25) and Annabel Young 7th (20.57) with the scoring three narrowly beaten into 2nd by 1 point. Other strong performances from Lily Crossley
8th (21.17), Lola Sutton 10th (21.34), Ingrid Linn 14th (22.58) and Ciara Harrop 15th (25.26).
The U17 women had another strong turnout. Amber Matthews returning to competition with a strong performance in 5th (20.46. Iris Crossley 8th (21.32) and Abigail Hawkes 10th (21.54) completing the team scoring places with the team in 2nd. Other performances saw Beth Palmer 13th (22.06), Heidi Hughes 16th (22.20) and Naveen Deo 22nd (24.04),
In the U15 girls, Rose Crossley run well finishing strongly in 4th (16.06). Backed up by teammates Sofia Cudmore-Smith (17.16) and Amelie Guthrie 30th (20.26) completing the scoring team places and finishing 2nd. Matilda Moisan 32nd (20.48) and Ava Graham 33rd (20.58) completing the team.
The U13s saw an increase in athletes participating which was fantastic to see. A strong performance from Gwen Thomas and our first athlete across the finish line in 17th, (13.21). Eve Hammersley 21st (13.31) and Ada Wass 32nd (14.15) both running competitively in their first cross country race for the Club and Chloe Orridge 39th (14.57). The team finished in 5th.
The next match is on Saturday 11th November at Danson Park, Bexley.
