Sunday saw the next fixture in the NESS XC League at a bitterly cold Writtle University College.
A good turnout saw 21 runners competing for Halstead Road Runners over the 2 lap course, which was fairly flat but some sticky mud and a strong crosswind in parts made conditions challenging.
Of the 161 runners competing Wes Atkins was first home for Halstead in 17th position.
Next back in 25th spot was Mike Smith, followed in quick succession by Nathan Roulson, Steve May and Stephen Metson in 34th, 37th and 40th positions respectively.
Gavin Ripton completed the scoring team for Halstead in 68th place. Neil Poulter, testing out his new spikes, finished in 98th spot, followed by Phil Jeffries, on his second off road run of the weekend in 128th position.
The final 3 Halstead men, finishing in close proximity were, Joby Humm 141st, XC legend Andy Carter 145th and Simon King 146th.
For the ladies, Rachael Roughan claimed the Halstead 1st lady spot in 19th position out of the 107 ladies taking part. Victoria Metson was next back, claiming her highest finishing position for Halstead, in 45th with Lisa Rodbourn completing the ladies scoring team after a brilliant sprint finish in 53rd. Kelly Judge, making a welcome return to XC for the first time in 3 years, finished in 62nd place with Charlotte King 1 place back in 63rd and Emma Healy not far behind in 67th. Anna Bambridge was the next HRR lady home in 84th position with XC debutant Jane Roach close by in 87th. Ladies XC captain, Lauren Ripton, running in the her 2nd XC in 2 weekends, finished strongly in 94th with Jenny Smith bringing Halstead home in 97th position.
It was good to see so many HRR members out testing themselves in a competitive league race and hopefully this can continue at the next fixture on a new course in Harwich in 2 weeks time.
