15 November 2017
On Saturday the Junior and Intermediate cross-country squads travelled to Lincroft School, Bedfordshire to compete in the regional round of the ESAA Cross-country Cup.
On a classically wet and gloomy autumnal morning the mood was subdued on the minibus as we drove through the wind and rain. Fortunately, as we approached our destination, the clouds parted and winds dropped to leave pleasant conditions, if not a little greasy underfoot.
The junior athletes completed a 2.8km course, which had a mixture of fast playing fields, undulating banking and a farmer's field to negotiate. The pace set from the starting gun was ferocious, with only Callum Aiken able to stick with the front runners. As the pace settled, the Junior team paced themselves well, finishing strongly and in 3rd place collectively. This performance earned them a place in the National Cross-country Final to be held in Sevenoaks, Kent; a first for Abingdon School in this age group.
Junior Team: Callum Aiken (7th) , Robin Hambidge (25th), Jonathan Pannett-Smith (16th), Thomas Mennie (18th), Alexander Darbishire (19th), Geordie Anderson (40th).
The Intermediate team raced over a distance of 4.2km incorporating the same terrain as the junior athletes. A strong individual performance came from Rowan Miell-Ingram (11th), however, the team fell short on a qualifying slot to the National Final. It is promising that there are three members of this team that will have another year to compete in the intermediate category and race in what is a very competitive field.
Intermediate Team: Freddie Cunningham (27th) , Rowan Miell-Ingram (11th), Seb McAllan (28th) , Thomas Kent (30th), Thomas Rolfe (32nd), Edward Spackman (33rd).
Well done to all involved.
