Athletics News

One of the club's best performances came in the Under-13 boys race with Andrew Thompson winning gold in 10.58 with clubmate Khalil Thompson taking the bronze in 11.07 and with excellent team work from Anthony Brown in sixth in 11.19 and Warren Roberts seventh also in 11.19 enabled the Shildon club to win the John Smith team trophy in the lowest aggregate score ever recorded of 17 points.

Matthew Lomax was also in among the medals in the Under-15 boys event. Matthew had a fine run to take silver in 16.06, the winner was Nathan Shrub (Morpeth Harriers) in 15.44.

In the junior men's event Paul Best had a good run to finish 11th in 31.07 with club mate Stephen Brown 19th in 33.56, the winner was Nick McCormack (Tynedale Harriers) in 27.48. Also, in the Under-17 girls race, Natalie Owens ran well to finish seventh in 22.21, the winner was Charlotte Whickham (Gateshead Harriers) in 19.39.

In the senior men's event first back for the club was Joe McCready in 47th in 42.12 with Chris Griffith in 92nd place in 45.30 and just behind was Bob Davison in 101st place in 45.53 then Chris Bowran in 183rd in 53.20 and finally Kevin Chester 199th in 58.48.

l The club's middle distance group have resumed their training at the Stadium 2000 on Mondays, Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings which run in two cross country leagues during the winter. The club's sprint section have also resumed training and they compete at the indoor meetings throughout the winter months, the club caters for all age groups from eight years upwards with no obligation to join. On Friday evening at 6pm it is come and try night for senior men and women with no obligation to join. Anyone requiring more information on the club should contact secretary Neil Stockley on (01388) 776083.

Quakers RC

The second Castle Eden Winter Handicap was held on Sunday in very cold conditions. Fastest Quaker home was Andy Henderson in a time of 32:29.

Other Quakers: Gordon Richards 33:51; Simon Nott 36:40; Jez Smith 38:51; Geordie Tennant 39:27; Richard Wall 43:00; Lynne Hatton 44:04; Alan Prest 44:21; Mike Horan 46:21.

On Saturday there was a good turn out from the club at the North-Eastern Counties Athletics Association Annual Cross Country Meeting.

Although teams in some age groups were weakened due to illness etc. there was still excellent individual performances on the day not least from those in the women's team who were taking part in their first Championship event.

Julia Orr, running in the Under-15 girls event confirmed her recent return to form with an outstanding run to finish in second place and claim a NECAA Championship silver medal.

Under-13 Girls (3.1K): A.Wilson 6th - 12:38, H. Scott 41st - 14:18.

Under-15 Girls (4K): J. Orr 2nd - 18:10, A. Snook 18th - 19:56, N. James 25th - 20:27 (4th Team).

Under 15 Boys (4K): L Moses 5th - 16:28, A Carter 48th - 19:20, S Farmer 51st - 19:45, M Bond 52nd - 19:52, S Carter 53rd - 20:14, L Barnes 57th - 20:30 (6th team).

Under-20 Men (9K): B Stephenson 6th - 29:41.

Senior Women: D. Richardson 9th - 29:46, A. Bates 32nd - 36:05, J. Haworth 34th - 36:08, H. Hancock 35th - 36:36, C. McKenzie 37th - 37:15, J. Giblin 40th - 39:19 (5th Team).

Senior Men (12.5K): A Tatham 28th - 40:47, K. Shevels 73rd - 44:00, W. Bramley 74th - 44:02, G. Park 117th - 47:11, P. Smith 147th - 49:02, D. Tarren 149th - 49:18, S. Snook 148th - 49:05, D. McLachlan 177th - 52:21 (12th Team).

On November 26, the third meeting of the North Eastern Harrier League held for the first time at the Riverside in Chester-le-Street was basically flat but twisting course. The meeting saw Julia Orr return to her winning ways with a fine run in the Under-15 girls event.

Results - U13 Girls: Abigail Wilson 5th - 9:56, Lauren Bowkett 47th - 11:26, Stephanie Millor 56th - 12:46 (9th Team).

Under-15 Girls: Julia Orr 1st - 12:17, Alex Snook 14th - 13:14. Under 15 Boys: Lewis Moses (Fast Pack) 11th - 12:06, Alan Carter (Slow Pack) 25th - 12:51, Michael Bond (Slow Pack) 12:55, Neil Robinson (Fast Pack) 12:59 (7th Team).

Senior Men: Wayne Bramley (Medium Pack) 96th - 39:23, Dave Tarren (Slow Pack) 151st - 40:35, Steven Snook (Slow Pack) 160th - 40:46.

On November 22, a record number of 20 junior members earned themselves the right to represent Darlington Schools at the County Trials in the New Year. The selection follows excellent performances at Eastbourne Sports Complex.

Those who qualified (Q) compete for a place on the County squad at a meeting to be held at King James 1st School in January.

Year 7 Girls: 3rd Lauren Bowkett, 6th Sarah Piggett, 8th Sarah Capstick, 10th Stephanie Millar, 12th Megan Edwards, 54th Rachel Carter.

Year 7 Boys: 10th Matthew Phillips. (Year 7 pupils do not proceed to County Trials due to English Schools ruling).

Year 8 & 9 Girls: 1st Alex Snook (Q), 2nd Abigail Wilson (Q), 3rd Nichola James (Q), 5th Katherine James (Q), 6th Anna Tunstall (Q), 7th Sarah James (Q), 8th Bethany Rowntree (Q), 12th Gemma Phillips (Q), 17th Leanne Hall, 21st Helen Scott, 32nd Jennifer Blewitt.

Year 8 & 9 Boys: 3rd Simon Farmer (Q), 6th Matthew Sutton (Q), 7th Marc Smith (Q), 12th Liam Barnes (Q), 13th Andrew Robinson (Q), 15th Michael Bond (Q), 26th Simon Carter.

Year 10 & 11 Girls: 1st Julia Orr (Q).

Year 10 & 11 Boys: 1st Lewis Moses (Q), 7th Neil Robinson (Q), 10th Lee Moss(Q), 11th Darren Pearson(Q), 12th James Bostock (Q), 28th Alan Carter.

The second meeting of the North-Eastern Harrier League took place at the Central Middle School in Wallsend on November 17. The meeting for once held in reasonable weather conditions was run over an undulating course which proved testing on the day and provided some good performances from the clubs members.

In the Under-13 girls, Abigail Wilson was third in 8:03 and Rachel Carter 41st in 12:02.

Under-13 Boys: Andrew Robinson (Fast Pack) 39th - 13:58.

Under-15 Girls: Julia Orr 6th - 11:13, Alex Snook 15th- 12:12.

Under-15 Boys: Lewis Moses (Fast Pack) 9th - 11:02, Simon Carter (Slow Pack) 23rd - 11:37, Neil Robinson (Fast Pack) 29th 11:49, Michael Bond (Slow Pack) 32nd - 11:50, Simon Farmer (Fast Pack) 41st - 12:42 (6th Team).

Senior Men: Wayne Bramley (Slow Pack) 29th - 33:27, Steven Snook (Slow Pack) 147th - 36:34, Stephen Carter (Slow Pack) 246th - 47:01.

The first meeting of the winter indoor grand prix series for minor athletes (Under-9s to Under-11s) took place on November 11 at Monkton Stadium in Jarrow with seven of the club's youngest athletes taking part.

Under-9 Girls: Louise Commet 60m (Race 1 - Heat 2) 2nd - 10.72s. 300m (Heat 3) 4th - 1:10.5, Emma Bowkett 60m (Race 2 - Heat 3) 1st - 10.59s, Final 3rd - 10.4s. 300m (Heat 4) 1st - 1:05.9. Final 3rd - 1:06.5.

Under-10 Girls: Chloe Griffiths 60m (Heat 2) 4th - 11.3s. 450m (Race 2 - Heat 3) 3rd - 2:01.9, Bethany McLachlan 60m (Heat 3) 3rd - 10.9s. 450m (Race 1 - Heat 1) 2nd - 2:00.8. Final 4th - 2:03.9.

Under-10 Boys: Daniel Patterson 60m (Heat 1) 3rd - 9.67s, Final 4th - 10.3s. 450m (Heat 2) 4th - 1:56.0, Jonathan Taylor 60m (Heat 2) 2nd - 10.27s. 450m (Heat 1) 3rd - 1:49.4.

Under 11 Boys: Matthew Taylor 60m (Heat 3) 4th - 10.20s. 600m (Heat 1) 2nd - 2:30.9.

Darlington Harriers

At the Yorkshire Dragoon 7.7-mile race on November 25 Jack Mason ran an impressive 46.54 for 13th place.

Other Harriers: Ron Read 22nd 49.24; Brain Hannah 50th 54.20; Steve Dauber 120th 70.04.

The Leeds Abbey Dash 10km race saw Martin Grainger run a personal best in 33.44.

Other Harriers: Jack Mason (PB) 35.34; Hon Lee 37.52; Ron Read 37.54.

The North-Eastern Cross country Championships held at Berry Edge Consett on December 8 saw some splendid performances.

Under-13 Girls: Emma Clifford 35th 13.53; Lauren Peacock 40th 14.16; Caroline Baker 54th 15.54. 12th team 129 points.

Under-13 Boys: Jamie Rutherford 38th 13.27.

Under-15 Boys: Daniel Purdie 22nd 117.20; Ryan Moss 45th 18.45; Theo Panayi 55th 20.18.

Under-20 Men: Simon Dobson 24th 35.06.

Under-20 Women: Georgina Rutherford 3rd (bronze medal) 21.38.

Senior Women: Bernadette Taylor 5th 28.58.

In the Senior Men Nigel Orr retained the Richardson Trophy being the first Harrier home in 36th place in 41.18.

Other Harriers: Simon Rutherford 98th 45.44; Jack Mason 102nd 45.57; Ron Read 46.59; Steve Hutchinson 122nd 47.18; Paul Smith 140th 48-10; Dave Cottam 195th 57.41; John Brant 196th 57.50. 12th Team 613 points.

Ben Wilson was forced to retire through injury.

l The Harriers train at Eastbourne Sports Complex on Tuesday and Thursdays (6.15pm-8pm). The next NYSD fixture is at Richmond on January 13. Contact John Brant on (01325) 257672 for more information.