Review of 2010 Birmingham XC League, Malvern

by Mark Coyle

In truth the great escape was never really on for the men’s XC team for in our case not only had the fat lady sung, she’d milked a standing ovation, gone back to her dressing room, taken off her make-up, signed autographs at the stage door, climbed into her waiting limo, gone back to the hotel, packed, done an interview with “Okay” magazine, then caught a private jet to the next leg of her European tour. Still, we’re nothing if not game at this club and despite the ignominy of relegation and an ever increasing injury list a dozen Sphinx men convened on Saturday morning for the journey down to deepest Worcestershire for the final round of 2009/10 Birmingham League XC season.

Among them and making his Birmingham League debut was 17 year old Alistaire Lord the latest in a long line of juniors – Liam Kincaid, Stuart Boon, Jag Shergill, Barry Adams, Tom Delaney, Matt Melia – who have come through the ranks and worn the blue and gold vest with distinction at senior level in recent years in Birmingham League races.

But what a course to cut your teeth at. Malvern, hosted by Worcester A. C. is widely regarded as – if not the toughest – then certainly one of the toughest XC courses in the Birmingham League. You know you’re in for a lung bursting, thigh burning afternoon when Graham Patton rubs his hands with unrestrained glee and eagerly informs you that he is “soooooooo excited!” about a XC race. Undeterred Alistaire pitched up with the rest of us at the venue – a local secondary school – nestled at the foot of hills that loomed so large on the horizon that we were sure you could see them from the Binley Road.

It was a five minute walk from the school to the course which was found to be in surprisingly firm condition as the 191 runners amassed on the start line (rather worryingly sited next to a cemetery) before a blast on the air horn sent the field racing away on the first of four laps. The route could best be described as undulating with many twists and turns and strength sapping inclines on its 1.5 mile loop and it wasn’t long before the field became strung out. Nigel Timms moved quickly into position as Sphinx first counter and never looked back. Behind him, Ian (who had already run the 5k park run at the Memorial Park that morning) jostled for second counter with the ever dependable Ben Orme while Barrie and Trevor tucked in behind. Alistaire showed up as sixth counter for the first two laps, slotting in behind Trevor Clark before the pace and the course took its toll and Graham Patton edged through. Dave and Phil (both returning from lengthy injury lay offs) enjoyed a lively tussle finishing barely 15 seconds apart. While Bergs lost his concentration – he clearly was here to enjoy himself - and chose to trade insults with Colin Underhill (Kenilworth Runners) for the duration of the race.

As ever an excellent effort from all who trudged back for a reviving shower followed by a hot cuppa and a slice of cake as Bob Carey confirmed the inevitable. Still, the day wasn’t all bad, an hour later we were back in the club house at C&NW sipping on pints of Ruddles and watching the France play rugby with Ireland.

Results on the day:

191 finishers
Winning time - 32:43

Counters
1.  87   Nigel Timms         41.49
2. 115   Ian Gower           44.38
3. 118   Ben Orme            44.52
4. 120   Barrie Adams        45.01
5. 135   Trevor Clark        46.13
6. 139   Graham Patton       46.41

153 Alistaire Lord           48.48 (4th U/20)
160 Dave Kelly               49.31
161 Phil Wilson              49.48
185 Paul Bergin              55.21

Final Table
Stratford upon Avon AC        36  51  52  93 101 124     2042
Kidderminster & Stourport     29  33  61 102 121 127     1572
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Dudley Kingswinford           44  86  92 106 114 117     2811
Sphinx AC                     81 115 118 120 135 139     2587
Stourbridge RC               112 126 166 175 dnf dnf      nil

While the men were galloping around the Malvern Hills the ladies were over in Walsall wading through the mud laden fields of Aston University in the final fixture of the women’s XC league. Although the ladies failed to raise a third counter to make a score, team captain Jackie Stewart reported that seven different ladies have represented the club over the season a position which Jackie feels augurs well for the future of ladies XC running at the club.

125 Jackie Timms        35:09
143 Jackie Stewart      41:44

147 Finishers, winning time - 22:37