Cross-Country Running
Maidwell Chase - Thursday 13th March 2008
Well this was another day of nerves and excitement for the whole school. Both Junior and Senior teams had needed to fight off a sick bug and indeed chicken pox to be able to run. Thanks go to the Matrons at school. I had given them a team list some weeks ago and they were working hard to maintain the fitness levels I demand of the runners. They were fantastic and a big part of the team effort!
The junior race once again saw James Cleverly shine. He was quite simply awesome in his preparation and execution of tactics against a very strong Spratton Hall competitor. He again finished in first place. Ben Clarke was again proving just how much potential he has really got. Today he slipped up a couple of gears and ran the best he has done thus far for the school. The rest of the junior A team were struggling a little with infections and groin strains from the previous week. Although gallant in their approach they were not as 'match fit' as usual. However this is no excuse; Spratton Hall deserved their win on the day. The Maidwell A team finished 2nd and the B team 3rd. All is well for the future!
In the Senior event Adam Parker ran the race of his life. I have never seen him run as well as he did. The eventual winner - by a mere 15 metres - was from Bedford and, it turned out, he was the Southern Champion of England. 15 metres is not a big distance. Jack Francklin again finished 1 place behind his running partner Adam in what was an awesome run. Having been in sick bay for two days before, Jack had recovered to produce a great run. Frank Sale came in next with a fantastic effort followed by Tom 'Joseph' Pease who has had a remarkable season and indeed term. Patrick Bullard finished after Tom showing great potential for the future. Joss Stoddart was suffering a little but guts was the order of the day and he finished very strongly. The above boys claimed the trophy and should be very proud.
Again our B team showed great potential finishing 4th and I look forward to their development next year.
THE RESULTS
Junior Race
|
Position |
Name |
Team |
|
1 |
Cleverly, J |
A |
|
5 |
Clarke |
A |
|
9 |
Holborow |
A |
|
10 |
Cleverly, A |
B |
|
11 |
Martin Smith |
B |
|
12 |
Playne |
A |
|
13 |
Payne |
A |
|
15 |
Cook |
B |
|
17 |
Fletcher |
A |
|
26 |
Peppiatt |
B |
|
27 |
Ashton Johnson |
B |
|
30 |
Farnsworth |
B |
|
Junior Team Positions
|
|
Position |
Team |
Points |
|
1 |
Spratton |
16 |
|
2 |
Maidwell A |
27 |
|
3 |
Maidwell B |
62 |
|
4 |
Bedford |
67 |
|
5 |
Beachborough |
70 |
|
6 |
Great Houghton |
128 |
Senior Race
|
Position |
Name |
Team |
|
2 |
Parker |
A |
|
3 |
Francklin |
A |
|
7 |
Sale |
A |
|
8 |
Pease |
B |
|
10 |
Bullard |
B |
|
13 |
Stoddart |
A |
|
14 |
Weatherby |
B |
|
17 |
Allhusen |
B |
|
19 |
Wilson |
B |
|
22 |
Stephenson |
B |
|
27 |
Barrow |
B |
|
29 |
Wright |
B |
|
Senior Team Positions
|
|
Position |
Team |
Points |
|
1 |
Maidwell A |
20 |
|
2 |
Spratton |
31 |
|
3 |
Bedford |
57 |
|
4 |
Maidwell B |
72 |
|
5 |
Beachborough |
90 |
|
6 |
Great Houghton |
102 |
Well that is it, the Rocky CD will be put away for another summer term. Back to work in September with another crop of talented runners no doubt.
Swanbourne Chase - Thursday 7th February 2008
This was a special day for the runners of both Junior and Senior teams. The course was a tough one with many hills and very muddy in places. The junior team ran first and won by a single point from Spratton. What I am learning as a novice trainer is that a single point could be 50-100 metres. So a win is a win and best be happy.
James Cleverly was exceptional and won the race. Ben Clarke is every bit a winner of the future he has guts and a great attitude. George Holborow is now truly believing in his ability. Lochie Payne a very gutsy character who is living up to the reputations of his older brothers and will improve upon them. William Playne is an extremely mentally strong sportsman. Charles Fletcher is a hardened competitive individual.
These boys deserved their success.
|
Junior Boys' Points
|
| Maidwell |
25 |
| Spratton |
26 |
| Beachborough |
70 |
| Winchester House |
71 |
| Swanbourne House |
72 |
| Akeley Wood |
124 |
| Great Houghton |
152 |
| The Grove |
160 |
|
Individual Maidwell positions
|
| J. Cleverly |
1 |
| B. Clarke |
7 |
| G. Holborow |
8 |
| L. Payne |
9 |
| W. Playne |
10 |
| C. Fletcher |
14 |
The senior race wasn't as big a surprise to me as some may have thought. Yes Parker, Constant and Stoddart were missing and Sale had only just recovered from a groin strain. Potentially four runners out but a vast array of talent available. Senior boys compete for cross-country places and the three individuals brought in Bullard, Weatherby and Wright certainly deserve their places. But to win was not a big surprise. They train hard and with purpose and run with guts. To finish level on points was disappointing in a way because if you get into a position to win you should always take it. During the run I was very impressed with the attitude of our 5th and 6th runners. They never succumbed to a jog; they raced all the way around the course. With points level with Spratton it was the 5th place position of Jack Weatherby which clinched the day's double for us.
|
Senior Boys' Points
|
| Maidwell |
36 |
| Spratton |
36 |
| Winchester House |
49 |
| Wellingborough |
58 |
| Beachborough |
67 |
| Bloxham |
118 |
| Swanbourne House |
124 |
| Sibford |
147 |
| Great Houghton |
162 |
|
Individual Maidwell positions
|
| J. Francklin |
6 |
| P. Bullard |
9 |
| T. Pease |
10 |
| F. Sale |
11 |
| J. Weatherby |
15 |
| F. Wright |
18 |
So back now to the training for the Maidwell Chase ahead. With the three runners back and up for selection, the days ahead will be very hard and competitive - and that is only in practice!
Beachborough Run - Tuesday 4th December 2007
Six senior and six junior teams competed for honours in this year's Beachborough Run. In the junio race Maidwell finished second to Spratton Hall by 3 points. In the snior race there was a remarkable result. All six of our runners finished in the top eight! Positions were as follows:
| 1st |
Adam Parker |
| 2nd |
Jack Francklin |
| 4th |
Jonny Constant |
| 6th |
Joss Stoddart |
| 7th |
Frank Sale |
| 8th |
Tom Pease |
Congratulations to the senior team on winning the Beachborough Run.