The season was unusual for many reasons, the traditional Midland road relays were shortened in distance, but the National relays went back to the original course making team selection quite tricky.
The cross country fixtures went mainly according to plan until the very end when for the first time since the war the National cross country championships were cancelled at short notice due to flooding.
The final Gwent league fixture did go ahead despite snow in Bristol but the final straw for me was when Easyjet decided to change my flight to Austria, hence I could not enjoy our success at the final fixture but as usual the parents stepped up and did me proud.
Overall, the u13s ran to plan. Team silver at the Gwent league was the best I hoped for. North Somerset AC, after their fantastic result winning silver at the national road relays, were always going to win gold and I sympathise as had the national xc gone ahead they would have been in a medal position.
We had very good representation at the Tri counties winning team gold and the South West champs narrowly missing the team bronze but Freddie Barnes excelled taking the individual silver.
Many of the lads competed for their schools on numerous occasions and they should all be proud of their achievements.
U11 boys waiting in the wings
An unusually large u11 team took part in the Gwent league and are clearly a force to be reckoned with in the future. They are certainly a very competitive bunch, and I could never predict who would make the scoring team such was their determination.
By the final fixture at Pontypool they had drawn 5 points clear of rivals Bridgend but despite all giving their best it was just not our day and Bridgend found something extra in the tank and nipped past us by 5 points to take team gold.
The medal presentation was not possible on the day, so we all hope to have a get together shortly and celebrate another successful winter season before we start to focus on the summer ahead.
The support and kindness throughout the winter shown by all the parents has contributed massively to the success of the junior boy’s squad, long may it continue, who needs Ali!
Ali Hurford, u11 and u13 boys coach.
Â