Rugby & Northampton Men’s team had a superb performance in the second round of the Birmingham & District Cross Country League when the Division One race was held at Betley Court Farm in Crewe. Contesting a three-lap course hosted by City of Stoke over 6 miles of rolling farmland the squad finished in an excellent 5th place, which moves them up to 7th spot in the overall standings.
Making his league debut was Junior International athlete Josh Lay who recorded a time of 31:29 to cross the line in 4th place. Lay, ranked U20 UK no.1 and European bronze medalist for 1500m in 2019, was the first Junior in the race behind the University of Birmingham pairing of Michael Ward (30:49) and Charlie Davis (30:57) and Tipton’s Peter Brookes (31:16). Duplicating his position from the first race was Dominic Jones in 8th position on 31:54 and 12 seconds adrift was William Gardner who clinched 12th spot. Making up the scoring six for R&N were Jack Bond, who also equaled his placing from race 1 when he was 39th in 33:27, Ben Musgrove with a time of 35:23 for 74th and Duncan Birtwistle with a best ever 87th in 35:41.
Just missing out on the A team by three seconds was Adnan Haq ( 88th ) The rest of the B team comprised Alastair Gardner, who achieved a personal best position of 132nd on 37:44, Vince Carroll ( 178th in 42:11 ), Terry Egan ( 192nd in 43:48 ) and John Saw ( 212th in 48:08 ).
R&N also had two athletes taking part in the Midland Women’s Cross-Country League Div.2 at the same venue and Junior Lucy Stevens recorded 27:28 over the two lap course of 4 miles to claim 12th overall and third in the U20 race. Tilly Lea followed her home in 16th with 28:12.
