The met League started with the usual opener at Claybury, not an easy course for the first one but a challenge we always take on and there are more stories about events which have taken place here over previous years. It felt like a whole new team turning up on Saturday, we were ready for what life in division 2 would bring. In spite of a few late drop outs in both the men’s and women’s teams we thought we were strong enough to do well and we justified that belief.

It was great to have some of our big hitters among the men who have been missing for a few years back in the fold and they really delivered. The men finished top of the table in Division 2 and if we can keep turning out in numbers and quality we should have a great season. The scoring team of 10 were Adam Bowman, Dougal Burrowes, Luke Barker, Paul Brennan, Ben Allen, Dave Weir, Scott Aiken, Jim Arrowsmith, Ben Jones and Carl Redondo. Beyond this 10 there were some superb performance and our B team top division 3 where we also have the C team in 8th place. Special mention for Simon Nash, father of Junior Morgan, only joined the Club on Friday and turned out for us here and finished as our 11th finisher. Our Vets team also figured strongly finishing 3rd in division 1 and having a chance to go for an overall win for the season. Our team was Paul, Dave, Scott, Jim, Ben and Carl.

The women were also a little depleted but did have the benefit of Kat Alpe being available to run because Met Police have withdrawn from the Met League. Like the men they seemed to be enthused by the chance of going for the division 2 title and all had great runs. Sadly there were only 8 of them but they really made it count. They finished 2nd in division 2 setting themselves up for a real challenge. The scoring team were Kat Alpe, Anja Greenwood, Beata Falkowska, Aimee Jenner and Siobhan Weir. With the other 3 of our runners Anna Sikorska, Theodosia Green and Christine Hawker also being vets we had a full complement so it is a good bet that we will figure well in the Vet competition and that is what happened with the women sitting in 2nd place in division 1, an outstanding achievement, The Vet team was Kat, Anja, Beata and Aimee. The Vets B team also sit in 2nd position in division 2.

The Juniors also had a good turnout and Paul Hart reports ‘It was the first fixture of the Met league today over at Claybury. Results wise Robin was 3rd and Ben 6th in the U15 boys. Jagna 1st U15 girl and Isabella 3rd. Georgia 10th U11 girl. Big shout out to Mark and Maisie running for the club for the first time. Well done to all juniors and the parents who raced today. Proud of everyone who pulled the shirt on. As usual Paul did a great job managing all the Juniors and made sure they were all ready for their races. He did all this before setting off on his own challenge of getting round this tough course.

This was a great start to the Met League season and with the right level of commitment as we move forward we should be able to celebrate at the end of the season but it will take real commitment across the Club.

Chas