Illness and injury amongst Bournville's "Galacticos" (Jamie Johnston excepted), meant it was time for some of us more common or garden runners to maintain the club's honour.

Nine of us started on the same course as the second league race last month - three winding laps of Burbage Common including the now infamous "wood of mud".  Unfortunately Andy C dropped out at the end of lap 1 due to the effects of the flu (according to Kat his face was looking a bit white as he stepped off the course).

Jamie Johnston put in a fine performance to come in 6th amongst the Warks. runners (the race also including Leics. runners in their own county champs).  This could give him the chance of an Inter-counties call-up.

The real nip-and-tuck amongst the BvH runners was happening further down the field.  Dave Harte was comfortably ahead, but Ollie, James, Daniel and myself were enjoying a good battle, with the lead switching on numerous occasions. 

Despite announcing before the race that he had taken a two-week pause from running over xmas, Ollie came out on top, followed by yours truly, with James hot on my heels.  James' improvement continues, however, and Mr Harte may need to start looking over his shoulder before too long...

After Daniel came Graeme Beavers, putting in a fine first xc performance in Bournville vest.  Let's hope the quagmire conditions doesn't put him off from making future appearances...

Last but not least was Barrie Roberts, who, despite a fall and also recovering from the lurgey, dug deep and his demonstrated his continued commitment to running.

Times were down across the board on a month ago - hopefully due to the increased mud rather than additional xmas girth - but we posted a creditable fifth and eleventh places all the same.

Thanks must go to the Women's team for sticking around and offering vocal support (and Anna for the flapjack in particular!), as well as Katie, Jamie's father and Graeme's daughter!

Paul Foot

Full results here.  A few photos here (limited as I was running..)

Place	Time	Name
6	00:38:19	JOHNSTON, Jamie	344
36	00:43:52	HARTE, Dave	342
45	00:45:24	HINDLE, Ollie	346
46	00:45:36	FOOT, Paul	352
47	00:45:53	TAYLOR, James	351
48	00:45:57	WILSON, Danny	354
63	00:53:45	BEAVERS, Graeme	345
66	00:55:56	ROBERTS, Barrie	349

1	:  Rugby & Northampton AC
Place	Time	Name
2	00:37:04	EMERY, Stephen	2
8	00:38:35	GERCS, John	8
9	00:38:40	BIRCH, Paul	10
16	00:39:51	SEWELL, Jamie	17
35	02:34:10	Totals
2	:  Kenilworth Runners
Place	Time	Name
3	00:37:17	JOHNSON, Mike	3
10	00:38:42	GOULD, Phil	11
11	00:38:45	HOPKINS, Stuart	12
12	00:38:51	NOONAN, Patrick	13
36	02:33:35	Totals
3	:  Solihull & Small Heath AC
Place	Time	Name
13	00:39:13	VERGO, Rene	14
17	00:39:53	FISHER, Keven	18
20	00:40:47	PRICE, Tim	25
29	00:42:21	LIDGATE-TAYLOR, Steve	36
79	02:42:14	Totals
4	:  Kenilworth Runners
Place	Time	Name
21	00:40:49	BIRCH, Graham	26
26	00:41:47	OAKES, Wayne	31
28	00:42:04	WILLIAMS, Mick	34
32	00:43:09	THOMPSON, Rob	44
107	02:47:49	Totals
5	:  Bournville Harriers
Place	Time	Name
6	00:38:19	JOHNSTON, Jamie	6
36	00:43:52	HARTE, Dave	49
45	00:45:24	HINDLE, Ollie	68
46	00:45:36	FOOT, Paul	70
133	02:53:11	Totals
6	:  Centurion RC
Place	Time	Name
24	00:41:27	SATTERTHWAITE, Ian	29
30	00:42:43	HEALEY, Tom	39
39	00:44:17	WHITE, Richard	54
44	00:44:51	CURTIS, Marc	65
137	02:53:18	Totals
7	:  Solihull & Small Heath AC
Place	Time	Name
31	00:43:05	SCHOUTEN, Serban	42
34	00:43:45	HOWES, Steve	47
37	00:43:58	FROGGATT, Paul	50
40	00:44:23	LAWRENCE, Graham	57
142	02:55:11	Totals
8	:  Stratford Upon Avon AC
Place	Time	Name
7	00:38:25	MARSHALL, Steve	7
19	00:40:08	MINTON, Rob	21
62	00:51:54	WATKINS, Luke	108
64	00:54:21	DEACON, James	113
152	03:04:48	Totals
9	:  Kenilworth Runners
Place	Time	Name
33	00:43:10	BRYAN, Peter	45
35	00:43:48	ROYLE, Paul	48
38	00:44:02	LIVELY, Brennan	51
51	00:47:11	KEAL, Matthew	83
157	02:58:11	Totals
10	:  Kenilworth Runners
Place	Time	Name
53	00:47:36	ALEXANDER, Stan	86
55	00:49:17	ELKINGTON, Barry	95
56	00:49:50	GREENHALF, Richard	99
57	00:50:24	LAMBERT, Martin	102
221	03:17:07	Totals
11	:  Bournville Harriers
Place	Time	Name
47	00:45:53	TAYLOR, James	74
48	00:45:57	WILSON, Danny	75
63	00:53:45	BEAVERS, Graeme	110
66	00:55:56	ROBERTS, Barrie	116
224	03:21:31	Totals
12	:  Kenilworth Runners
Place	Time	Name
65	00:54:59	DABLE, Tom	115
67	00:57:00	SHILLINGTON, Stef	119
68	01:04:59	BUCHAN, Paul	127
69	01:05:17	BRICHER, Colin	128
269	04:02:15	Totals