Northants Cross-Country Champs, Sat 9th Jan
Senior Men Claim 17th County Title
The Senior Men from Rugby & Northampton AC successfully defended their team title in the County Cross Country Championships to claim their 17th victory overall as either R&N or Phoenix since 1985.
The 10000 metre course, which consisted of 3 laps of Wicksteed Park was covered in snow, but it didn’t prevent Stuart Nelson from leading home the club in an excellent 4th place with a time of 35 mins 9 secs and remain unbeaten this season by any R&N athlete. Matt Howes marked his debut in the Senior team by finishing in 7th spot in 36 mins 11secs ,but it was three of the clubs Veterans who once again were called upon to help the club seal that victory. Brendan Moen has been in superb form this winter and he clinched 13th position in 37.23 to make the team for the 5th year in a row. Vince Carroll has been slowly improving with each race and he was the next man across the line in 16th place with 37.58 after missing out on the team last year. The revelation of the team though was Terry Egan who made the scoring team for the 20th time, winning his 12th team gold, by finishing in 17th with 38 mins 2 secs. Egan was part of the very first Northampton Phoenix winning team 25 years ago in a race won by Mike Fromant. Completing the triumphant six man team was Mark Armstrong who is in training for the London Marathon and he recorded 38.11 to finish in 18th position.
R&N also had good back up by finishing a B team with Greg Spellman having a good run in 23rd place on 38.43.He was followed by Rob MacDougall (30th in 39.39), John Saw (31st in 40.15), Brian Summers (34th in 41.02), Neil Willsher (36th in 41.25), Mark Ratcliffe (47th in 45.49) and Jay Love (52nd in 47.30).
The Senior Ladies won the bronze medals in a race won by former Junior International Sian Edwards.
The 2 lap course over 6600 metres saw Alison Cooper lead home the R&N Ladies in 5th place with a time of 28 mins 29 secs. Veteran international Angela Copson recorded 29.11 for 7th spot and closing off the team was Rachel Shaw in 14th with 30.40.
The B team of Jo Pulsford (17th in 32.15), Jo Love (22nd in 33.01) and Lesley Willis (27th in 34.14) also performed well.
