Ellis Cup and Dysart Trophy - 4/3/17
Posted by on 6 March 2017
A record turn out of men and ladies for the Ellis and Dysart Cup brought the curtain down on the cross country season in some style on Saturday 4th March. 43 men, 21 ladies and 12 juniors lined up against some top class opposition including First Division clubs Ranelagh and Hercules Wimbledon in Richmond Park. The Stragglers men had a very keenly fought race all across the field with Oliver Garner first across the line in 33:32 and ninth overall with Rob Wilcox in hot pursuit in 11th place. There was an equally tight finish for third and fourth Straggler with Crispin Allen (34:58) just getting the better of Freysen Maritz coming in 5 seconds behind. There were strong performances right through the field with the Stragglers Men finishing in third place overall in the competition.
It was great to be able to welcome back some of our men after injury layoff Jonathan Davies, Stuart Hambling, Richard Baggott and Dave Griffiths. Those new to XC running this season John Greaves, Luis Dionisios, Andy Ronksley and Martin Powell who tells us that he hasn't run XC since school! Andrew Hoseason representing the Straggler Junior dads put in a shift and welcome to Michael Leibbrandt making his competitive debut for the club.
It was, however, the ladies who triumphed in bringing home the Dysart Cup with their biggest turnout of the season having last won it 12 years ago in 2005, and before that in 1995! First Straggler lady home was Jacky Balfour in 39:04 and third placed lady overall. Pam Whitter (39:50) Juliet Cleghorn (40:22) , Karen Levene (41:12) and Kate Fennell (42:24) made up the scoring team. Big congratulations to Jacky for her bronze medal.
The juniors raced over half distance (1 lap), and they very much enjoyed the rare opportunity to race XC alongside the adults. Friends & training partners Ben Dibley and Kieran Desmond were well ahead of the other 51 youngsters, and they ran the course together alongside the leading men,. Our leading girl was 12 year old Maisie Jensen finishing 4th only 4 seconds outside the medals. A special mention too for 11 year old Harriet Wiltshire who was 7th girl and competed her lap amongst some of the quickest women in the race.
In particular it was great to include some of the Straggler Junior Mums and Dads in the senior line up making it a real family affair and hopefully one we will be repeating next season.
For the results, please follow these links
