Written by DB   

A successful rearguard operation in Richmond Park ensures we go to Lloyd Park for February's final fixture with a reasonable chance of retaining our coveted Division 2 membership.

Over a course mapped by West 4 Harriers and resembling our own Sheen Gate circuits,we were back to a mere eleven worthy souls - work,illness and,sadly,injuries cut our squad in half and more than one ran with a handicap or acquired one en route.

Mark Reed(9th 28.45) was our number one and Andy Arbour(14th 29.36),Mike Maranzano(32nd 31.05) & Ant Budarkiewicz(35th 31.15) were,as ever,our leading stalwarts - stalwart by definition being the theatrical equivalent of "We're never closed"!! Welcome newcomer Graham Simpson,on his 2nd outing, closed at a useful 40th(31.38),with major improver Matt Hyett 54th 32.18,then the ubiquitous 'man for all seasons' Humphrey Waddington(a very late but welcome addition for neither the first,nor hopefully last,time) 81st 34.04.That was still only 7 and the dogged Peter Wilkins 104th,a returning further model of ubiquity TM Bob McDonough 125th and ever-ready Dave Gibbons 146th closed us in.

Teamwise,we were apprehensive,but we did darned well to take 7th team with 516pts and we hold on to 6th overall,only 40 clear of Striders of Coydon,but some 300 points away from the first of the relegation spots.

The eight starters in the YA race either went off course or were misdirected,with the race result likely to be declared null and void. K&P's Oscar Bole,along with 2 companions was out for around an hour,but,with the park full of walkers etc.,the lads were not in danger but would have been more than frustrated,as would their clubs and parents.

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