TYNE BRIDGE AND THE POLY TAKE THE MAJOR HONOURS FOR VERY FIRST TIME
Tyne Bridge Harriers claimed the Sherman Cup for the first time while North Shields Poly did likewise in the Davison Shield contest, the Newcastle outfit denying Morpeth Harriers another victory, the Northumbrian club having triumphed for over a decade and finishing fifth on this occasion.
While Tyne Bridge had reason to celebrate winning the
men’s contest they were pipped on making it three consecutive wins in the
female section due to the Poly’s strong performance over the days’ proceedings
consequently having to finish runners-up after victories in 2022 and 2023.
While numbers were down overall, possibly as a football game was taking place
just a few miles down the road, though it’s interesting to note that senior
women’s numbers (253) were close to the men’s (268) despite another testing
Temple Park circuit.
SENIOR MEN (9k)
Despite having little time to warm up having being informed of a later start time North Eastern Counties champion Cameron Allan still managed to show a clean pair of heels to his rivals. Content to stay in touch with the leading bunch on the first of three circuits having no time to survey the course, the Houghton athlete stormed to the front at the commencement of the second lap, quickly opening up a significant gap with Morpeth’s Lawrence McCourt desperately trying to keep in touch as a group of Sunderland pair Liam Taylor and Stephen Jackson, Morpeth’s Alex Brown and Durham City’s Dan Garbutt being locked together a further 20 metres or so behind McCourt. Entering the final lap there was no doubt about the winner baring an accident as Allan continued to cut out a lone furrow as he weaved his was past the lapped runners. McCourt looked certain of the runner’s up spot but an exciting battle was taking place in the charge for the final podium place.
It looked for a long while that would go to Taylor but Garbutt, the former England cross-country international and 2014 Northern champion, managed to reel in the Wearsider and claim the bronze medal. Before going for a warm down Allan, the recently-crowned North Eastern XC champion, said he was delighted with his run adding: “I wasn’t too sure of the course having arrived quite late but once we had completed the first lap decided to push and see if anyone came with me, as it happened I quickly opened daylight over the rest of the lads which meant I could then just relax and run at my own pace. The muddy sections didn’t bother me and now I can look forward to the Northerns with some confidence.”
Morpeth were comfortable team winners with 14 points followed by Durham City with 26 and Gateshead with 41. James Anderson, 12th place overall, led the Poly to team victory in the Masters section ahead of Elvet Striders and Sunderland.
SENIOR WOMEN (6k)
Catriona MacDonald led
throughout the contest opening up a significant advantage over the chasing
athletes at the completion of the first of the two circuits. Gateshead’s Shona
Haston was in second place closely followed by Jane Hodgson (Morpeth), Nicole
Burlinson (Durham City), Jacqui Penn (North Shields Poly), Wallsend’s Jenny
Berry and Heaton’s Ellie Reed. MacDonald came home a comfortable winner (11
Seconds) though a superb second lap by Hodgson had closed down the day light
considerably resulting in an excellent second place with Haston claiming the
final podium place ahead of Penn, Burlinson and Berry. Morpeth claimed team
victory ahead of Jeamond Joggers with North Shields Poly finishing in third
place. The Masters category was held in conjunction with the senior contest
with Judith Nutt leading Elswick to victory ahead of South Shields and the Poly.
UNDER-17 MEN (5k)
It was a North Shields Pole
one-two with victory going to Ben Sproats who had 16 seconds in hand over
team-mate Daniel Watson at the line with Crook’s Rory Hart claiming the bronze
award for the North West Durham club. Elliott Moore, in sixth position, backed
up Sproats and Watson for a convincing team with Tyne Bridge closing in in
second place ahead of Sunderland.
UNDER-17/20 WOMEN (5k)
North Eastern Counties champion
Charlotte Dillon (u17) led the field home with the biggest winning margin of
the day finishing 42 seconds clear of fellow u17 Ellie Fellows (Blaydon) with
Birtley’s Katie Francis first u20 in third place. Gateshead’s Iona Johnson
finished fourth overall and third u17 while Sedgefield’s Abbie Walker was
second u20 ahead of Gateshead’s Sophie Johnstone. Birtley were team winners
finishing just one point ahead of the Poly with Gosforth in third spot.
UNDER-15 BOYS (3k)
Tyne Bridge Harriers’ Freddie
Palmer led throughout coming home 20 seconds clear of North Shields Poly’s
James Sturman with Tynedale’s Magnus Riddell completing the one-two-three.
Palmer led the Newcastle club to team victory ahead of Sunderland and Wallsend.
UNDER-15 GIRLS (3k)
North Shields Poly’s Anna
Johnson held off Houghton’s Kathryn Pye to claim the gold award with
Darlington’s Matilda Owens a close-up third ahead of team-mate Charlotte Owens.
Once again, the Poly were convincing team winners ahead of Tyne Bridge and Heaton.
UNDER-13 BOYS (3k)
Morpeth’s Ewan Line led the
42-strong field home winning by 13 seconds with Phoenix Flyers’ Henry Englehart
putting in another good stint to finish runner-up ahead of Elswick’s Dominic
Kelso. In a tight team contest Morpeth came out on top just two points clear of
Elswick with Low Fell, led home by James McClean, celebrating third place.
UNDER-13 GIRLS (3k)
Emma Blackburn (Gateshead)
led the 45-strong field home to claim a 10 second victory over Elswick’s Ayla
Blight with Morpeth’s Faye Heatley a further five seconds adrift in third
place. Elswick were comfortable team winners ahead of Gateshead and the Poly.
UNDER-11 (1k)
As is customary, under-11
“Try Cross-Country” contests open all harrier league fixtures and once again it
was a success for North Shields Poly brother and sisters Noah and Ada Penfold,
Noah heading the 44-strong field and Ada leading home her 52 rivals. Following
Noah across the line were Low Fell duo William McClean and Charlie Wilson with
just one second separating the pair. In the girls’ contest, Martha Carr
(Prudhoe Plodders) finished in second place behind Ada with Chester-le-Street’s
Faye Evans claiming the third place award.
**Once again the NEHL is
indebted to South Shields Harriers for hosting another excellent event; to all
their club marshalls and to all the technical officials all of whom were at
their posts throughout the day. Also, thanks to Start Fitness for their
continued support, to the First Aid team and to South Tyneside Council for the
use of their facilities.
Report by Bill McGuirk
Photos - Stuart Whitman Photography
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