SW Relays series 2010
Acting club captain Mike Crockett recalls how QO had mixed fortunes in their attempt to wrestle the trophy back from Wessex in the 2011 series, despite the highs of a rare win at the Bristol relay
Adams Avery winners 2010
QO had mixed fortunes in their attempt to wrestle the trophy back from Wessex in this year‘s series. The five events all with different formats were held on consecutive Sundays in June and July. The best four results of the five were to count.
We were unable to muster a team for NWO at Cherhill Down near Calne for the first event, and so were at a big disadvantage right from the start. This was a big personal disappointment to me as the area was where I first started cross country running all those years ago whilst stationed at nearby Yatesbury.
However we won the Adams Avery at Leigh Woods to put us back in contention.
The success however was short lived as a missing dib in the Furrow Hoppers at Kingston Maurward meant we were completely out of the running, and all that was available was pride and a possible second place. Will Kromhout did point out that if we scored 50 in both the remaining events and Wessex failed to score more than four points it was possible for us to win.
Three teams from QO travelled to Dartmoor for the Devon Relays which were of the Harris type (a score event spread between the three runners with some compulsory controls for all three). Suffice it to say that we did not fare well. A misplaced control did not favour us and highlighted the need for a controller at this type of event even though it is nominally a low key informal.
It was now down to the final event at Upton Park near Poole for a chance to redeem ourselves. A mixture of youth and age meant we had speed and a good handicap and so we set off with high hopes even though Wessex were on home ground and had used it many times before. A good plan, well executed, worked well for us and our last runner set off with a reasonable lead but with a very determined Dale Paget chasing him. Eventually Dale caught our man on the long run in from the last control to the finish.
Wessex retained the Trophy with QO second and Sarum third. These being the only teams to contest more than two of the five events was such a shame, especially as they are three of the smaller clubs in SWOA. Next year let‘s hope for more competition. Thanks to all our members who ran in the various events (we used eleven in all).
—Mike Crockett, Acting Club Captain (and competition scorer)