The National Sports Centre at Lilleshall was the venue for the second of this season's Majestic Travel North Wales Cross Country League and it was again Shrewsbury AC's Mike James who dominated the mens race. James who was last years league champion and was a convincing winner in the first of this season's races at Colwyn Bay had an even greater winning margin this time. He set off in determined fashion and quickly establish a lead by the end of the first of the four laps, he continued to drive on and extended his lead as the race for second was going on behind him. He finished in 31.41 and was a full one minute 21 seconds ahead of second placed Eryri Harrier Gwyn Owen, with Bangor University's Rob Samuel 3rd in 33.19.

Will Joyce led host club Telford AC home in 4th,33.46, as the reigning league champions were also fielding teams in the National Road Relay Championships for men and women that clashed on the same date. Harry Jones of Colwyn Bay,last years under 17 champion was 5th, 33.52, improving from 17th in the opening race, with Telford's Dave Mansbridge making a welcome return to the country as the first over 40 home in 6th,33.56. Last years overall bronze medallist Andy Walling from Menai was 7th,34.03 with recent winner of the Bells of Pattingham Race Greg Wilson of Telford AC, was the first over 50 in 8th,34.05 just 3 seconds ahead fellow over 50 Wrexham's Mike Weedall. Telford AC's 4th scorer and making his cross country debut for the club was Rob Hughes who completed the top 10 in 34.13. Oli Blake again led home the Oswestry team in 12th and second under 20,34.17 as former Bishops Castle student, David Cheshire was the first Maldwyn Harrier in 16th 35.37.

With 6 in the top 21 Telford scored 66 points (133 after 2 races), one less than at Colwyn Bay to win the team race, with last years runners up Wrexham improving from 5th in the opening fixture to second with 121 pts ( 392 overall ), Shrewsbury were again 3rd with 152 pts ( 295 overall), as Eryri dropped down 2 places from 2nd to 4th with 160 pts (272), first division placings were completed by Abergele 5th, 256 pts (504 overall),Colwyn Bay 6th, 274pts (612 overall), Oswestry 7th, 452 pts (935 overall) and 8th Buckley 475 pts (920 overall).

Maldwyn Harriers won the Division 2 team race with 371 pts ( 866 overall) Bridgnorth Ac were 12th 962 pts (1889 overall).

In the Veterans team race Telford were first 8 pts (21 overall), Wrexham were 2nd 15 pts (94 overall), Shrewsbury were 3rd 27 pts ( 52 overall) Maldwyn Harriers were 6th 68 pts (207 overall), Oswestry 9th 93 pts (195 overall) and Bridgnorth 15th 248 pts (490 overall)

Telford's Colin Mattock was the first over 55 home in 58th overall,39.00.

Oswestry's Toby Griffiths running in his first North Wales League race won an exciting sprint finish showing his 800m pace to come home first in 17.15 just one second ahead of Deeside's Ricky Challinor. Telford AC's Nino Besovic and Chris Lewis were 7th and 8th.

Oswestry's Doug Morris won the mens over 70's in 27.47.

Anna Frost was an impressive winner of the womens 2 lap race in 18.32 whilst Marilyn Kitching of Tattenhall improved from 4th at Colwyn Bay to 2nd in 18.46 with Caroline Harney Wrexham's second scorer 3rd in 18.56. Oswestry's Alison Lavender had another good run as the first under 20 in 4th, 19.06 with Colwyn Bay's first finisher in 5th,19.58. Shrewsbury's Sam Hutchinson winner of the Bells of Pattingham race was 8th in 20.26, with Gobowen's Alison Whitelaw 10th, first over 45 in 20.43. The Telford AC team was led home by Cheralyn Evans 15th in 21.16. Wrexham dominated the team race with 3 in 7, just 11 points, (39 overall) as Oswestry winners in the opening fixture having to settle for 2nd with 32 pts (55 overall) Colwyn Bay were 3rd, 51 pts (88 overall) and Telford were 4th 53 pts ( 91 overall). In the second division Shrewsbury were 5th, 158 pts(433 overall) and Maldwyn Harriers were 9th 177 pts ( 416 pts overall). In the womens vets team event Wexham were the winners 21 pts (83), Oswestry 2nd 32pts (55), Telford 3rd 46 pts (84).

Individual finishing positions for local runners
Mens

Bridgnorth
138 N. Alford 49.16
145 B. Walters 50.12
154 R. Griffin 59.55

Maldwyn Harriers
16 D. Cheshire 35.37
39 E. Davies 37.13
41 H. Jones 37.34
61 S. Owen 39.08
86 G. Fletcher 40.37
128 S. Orrells 45.51

Oswestry Oly
12 O. Blake 34.17
43 J. Hancock 37.37
75 D. Newton 40.09
97 S. Kirtley 41.26
103 S. Nicholls
122 N. Ballard 44.49

Shrewsbury AC
1. M. James 31.41
23 K. Francis 35.56
30 G. Jones 36.28
31 A. Gray 36.36
32 T. smith 36.40
35 D. Beale 36.52
49 P. Ball 38.04
62 C. Wakeman 39.15
90 C. Bailey 41.01
109 A Beeston 43.11


Telford AC
4 W. Joyce 33.46
6 D. Mansbridge 33.56
8 G. wilson 34.05
10 R. Hughes 34.13
17 R. Hailey 35.40
21 I. Illie 35.50
22 J. Hockey 35.52
38 M. Clewes 37.02
44 S. Jones 37.42
57 P. Williams 38.50
58 C. Mattock 39.00
60 P. Cadman 39.04
63 M. Dawes 39.21
70 B. Llewellyn 39.48
78 D. Williams 40.20
131 R. Sandland 46.39
141 A. Hodgkiss 49.36
142 B. Bridges 49.50.


Womens

Maldwyn Harriers
51 T. Jones 25.06
58 L. Chapman 25,57
68 C. Orrells 29.30

Oswestry oly
4 A. Lavender 19.06
11 B. Eyke 20.43
17 S. Hancock 21.35
27 S. Greaves 22.58
47 B. Lord 24.49
52 C. williams 25.10

Shrewsbury AC
8 S. Hutchinson 20.26

Telford AC
15 C. Evans 21.16
16 C. Lancaster 21.21
22 L. Blagden 22.19
29 K. Costello 22.58
42 J. Hailey 24.13


The next Majestic Travel North Wales Cross Country League will be held at the Treborth Playing Fields, Bangor on Saturday 25th November first race 2 pm.

Paul Sandersosn