Siggers strengthens Runners’ hand at the second Birmingham League race

Phil Gould again showed his liking for cross-country with an impressive showing in the Birmingham League. Picture submitted

The A team was boosted by the appearance of Andrew Siggers who ran excellently to finish 24th in 34min 52sec.

He was followed by cross-country specialist Phil Gould who, despite nursing a knee injury, came home 54th in 36:25, five seconds and three places clear of Rich Simkiss.

Stuart Hopkins (65th in 36:45), Paul Andrew (74th in 36:57) and Stephen Page (77th in 37:03) completed the A team.

Kev Hope took the first B team place, occupying 124th in 38:48, followed by club chairman Pete Bryan (140th in 39:46).

Making a return to racing, Matt Dyer (40:19) ran excellently to finish 152nd. Dyer was followed in by vice-captain Marc Curtis (156th in 40:30).

Dave Ramus (173rd in 41:01) was next home, with cross-country veteran Graham Birch completing the B team in 41:42.

Selected others: 194, Richard Broadbent (42:00); 195, Wayne Briggs (42:01); 200, Dewi Williams (42:30); 209, Chris Simkiss (42:58); 222, Stuart Underhill (44:09); 235, Tom Williams (45:18); 238, Jonathon Heather (45:34); 246, Jimmy Atkins (47:42); 248, Rob Willis (48:10); 261, Simon Mottershead (54.21).

Fears that the loss of three experienced runners would see Leamington CA&C slip down Division Two proved unfounded at Plock Court, Gloucester.

In fact, four of the juniors featured in their scoring six to move them up to fourth overall, just one place and 68 points behind Bromsgrove and Redditch in the final promotion place.

Jamie Langley, the old man of the team at 24, led them home in 18th place with a time of 32:04.

Next home was Callum Hanlon (32:13) in 20th place and third junior.

Guy Allen was one place and eight seconds behind Hanlon and he was followed home by three juniors; debutant Simon Cooper (43rd in 33:19), Jack Savage (45th in 33:21) and George Loveday (33:57), who completed the team in 64th spot.

The B team also moved up a place to fourth overall, with Eoin O’Flynn leading them home in 80th place (34:33).

Selected others: 113, Jonathon Brown (35:56); 129, Nick Tawney (36:36); 131, Michael Denny (36:38); 154, Bryn Morgan (37:47); 156, Paul Caruana (37:51); 161, Steve Roberts (38:00); 177, Chris Wyburn-Powell (38:49); 180. Pete Taylor (39:01); 189, Richard Stevens (39:35); 215, Graham Roberts (42:54).