Durham Schools Counties at Meadowfield - 20th January 2007

This Saturday was a day and a half squeezed in to 24 hours for us this week. Mark was playing district football at Washington, and Adrian was playing cross country at Meadowfield at the same time….how do we sort that one out??

That wasn't the end of it 'cos we had to be at the match for 3.00pm as well, although in hindsight it would not have upset me if I had missed the first half of that!

Anyway, I digress, before the first race, the football was cancelled so by 10.00am, Linda had been to Washington and still made it to Meadowfield in time for the first race. The first race was the girlie year 7 race. This race, featured two of the Birtley lasses, Sophie Taylor and Paige Howell. Sophie had qualified at Gatesheads' Waterview Park coming in second place, pipped at the post, and Paige had qualified running in the year 8 and 9 race. It was a good race, both girls qualifying to represent the county. An excellent run for Paige in the year 7 race who saved enough in the major part of the race to out sprint the leader in the last 50metres to win the race. Sophie, who still hasn't managed to shake off her chest infection, was a very creditable 6th, giving her the chance to run with Paige in two weeks at South Shields representing the County.

The next race was Adrians race, nobody else from the club in this race. I missed the start as I was waiting at the long hill to encourage. I was just saying to another supporter that someone looked to have gone off very quick (my eyes wouldn't tell me who it was at that range) when Mark shouted that it was Adrian, who lead from the start, and won outright, meaning he will be at South Shields with Paige and our Sophie!

Next race we were watching had Steph running from our club and also friends, the two sisters Amanda and Emma Watt from Chester le Street. Also running was Fiona Higgins, Marks class mate, who separated Sigourney and Steph who came in third place and qualified to join Ade and the lasses. Emma came in 16th, and qualified also, but sister Amanda had to drop out with chest pains. (I have spoken to her mother who says she is fine now).

Next race I saw any Birtley athletes in was Monique Howell who we think was about 10th, so she should have qualified also.

Well done to the Birtley runners, and now we have two County Champions…not bad eh??

The day was spoiled by a dreadful match at Newcastle!