Second Border League 2010
PRESTATYN Running Club’s super-vet Dave Hughes was the toast of the Welsh Masters’ team at the weekend when he picked up a bronze medal with the over-70s’ team in the British and Irish Masters’ Cross-Country International in Dublin.
He knew he was in good form after the recent fixtures of the North Wales League but even he was surprised by his “stormer” in which he was the first Welsh finisher in his race. He had the added satisfaction of beating his arch-rival, Wrexham’s Peter Norman, by two minutes.
“It was one of those days when everything went right and I’m still on a high,” said David after returning home.
Gordon Jones made a welcome return to competition for the club on Sunday when he led the squad home in the second Borders Road Running League fixture at Capenhurst.
In a strong field he finished 47th overall and was third in the M50 class. Gordon was followed by George Nicholls, who is coming back to form, and 17-year-old Oliver Harrison-Jones, who was making only his second League appearance. After being in Spain recently Oliver is not yet back to full fitness..
Gareth Bailey had another good run and John Hughes-Roberts continued his excellent form. Not so lucky was club chairman Arwel Jones who was going well when a calf injury forced him to withdraw.
Like the men, the ladies were missing some regular faces and the seven were led home by the in-form Sian Beck, with club skipper Glenda Davies turning in yet another gutsy performance close behind.
The men finished seventh in Division 1 on the day and now have a mountain to climb in the remaining five fixtures even with the return of their current absentees. Meanwhile the ladies finished third at Capenhurst and if they turn out in strength over the rest of the season could manage a swift return to Division 1.
The placings were (5.5 miles): 46 Gordon Jones 32.19, 66 George Nicholls 33.10, 75 Oliver Harrison-Jones 33.37, 84 Neil Owen 33.54, 85 Martin Cortvriend 33.59, 93 Gareth Bailey 34.27, 102 George Nixon 34.49, 135 John Hughes-Roberts 36.10, 144 Tony Benton 36.55, 148 David Davies 37.02, 162 Gareth Hughes 37.43, 186 Sian Beck 38.47, 192 Glenda Davies 38.58, 200 Mike Lindsay 39.24, 204 Steve Hatfield 39.30, 211 David A Jones 40.00, 225 Shelly Ward 40.53, 257 Eleri Goddard 43.23, 259 David Owen 43.27, 280 Eleri Jones 46.02, 282 Helen Baxandall 46.08, 285 Helen Ashworth 46.23.
Members are reminded that tickets are still available for the ceilidh/ barn dance being held on November 27, with the band Mooncoin. Anyone interested should contact Gareth Hughes on 01745 – 888078.
