Birmingham League Div 1, Race 4 – Abington Park, Sat 11th February

Rugby & Northampton AC produced their best ever performance in the Mens Birmingham Cross Country League when the squad achieved a superb victory in Division One for the first time.

The club were hosting the fourth and final fixture of the season at Abington Park in Northampton and in the twenty year history of the amalgamated club, which includes eighteen in division one, R&N produced an unprecedented top spot, which saw four athletes finishing in the top ten. Leading the way was Ben Musgrove and after his 20^th place in the Midland Championships the 24 year old became only the fifth athlete from the club to make the top five when he covered the 10k four lap course in 31:16 to finish in 4^th place. Chasing him all the way and just one second behind was Dominic Jones who equalled his best ever 5th spot. Completing another solid season was Haydn Arnall whose 7^th position in 31:17 was his highest to date and this emulated his overall 4^th place from last year in the individual standings of best of three along with becoming the R&N club champion for the second successive year. Adam Wright made the top ten for the first time in 31:50 and his 10^th place on the day put him 7^th in the overall competition. Making the team for the 16^th time was William Gardner who followed in 15^th spot on 32:08 and the sixth scorer was U20 athlete Finlay Ward in his return from injury and he was placed 32^nd in 33:08.

Rugby & Northampton finished 29 points ahead of the BRAT club on the day with Birchfield Harriers third and then University of Birmingham who successfully defended the Division One crown in winning their 5^th overall title. R&N finished 8^th in the final league table to match last years position. The B team were led home by Duncan Birtwistle in 34:44 for 60^th place, but in the best of three overall he was 35^th. Veteran Dave Ball achieved a best ever 73^rd spot in 35:23 and Junior Noah Bennett did likewise in 87^th on 36:14. One place and two seconds behind was Lewis Cherry followed by Sam Tallett with a personal best position in 112th (37:41).