Sunday at Hylands Park saw runners gathered for the second race in the 53-12 league, hosted by Springfield Striders. The lack of rain didn’t mean the course was any easier than last year, there were plenty of ditches to contend with and the wind made for a tough race.

Four Witham ladies ran, with Brigid Wallen (20th) and Claire Gordon (29th) earning the points that placed the ladies 3rd and Liz Stuckey (31st) and Sally King (51st in her XC debut) denying points to the other clubs.

There were many more Witham men in the field. Jon Booty (11th), James Farren (24th), Tom Beard (59th and recently stepped up to the senior race) and Stuart Mills (86th) gained sufficient points for the men to be 2nd in Pool B. They were assisted in their task by Marc Underdown (89th), Tony Wallen (90th), Terry Alabaster (103rd), Lee Pembroke (114th in his XC debut), Dave Enders (142nd), Shawn Beckerleg (154th), Colin Short (157th), Paul Hedger (159th), Gary Levy (167th), Dave Beckerleg (171st), John Kerr (178th) and Peter Holm (187th).

Luckily for Witham RC, when the men’s and ladies’ results were combined the club was placed 1st overall and extended their lead at the top of Pool B.