Tiptree Road Runners

Tiptree Road Runner Laura Shewbridge ran to her third successive victory in this season's 53-12 league, making light of the hilly, muddy conditions at Halstead Woods. As an indication of her continuing improvement, Laura finished higher up in the field overall and beat some notable new rivals. In the men's race, James Haskey-Jones finished an excellent 19th, a big improvement on his previous best league position and the first club top 20 league finish for many years. The Tiptree ladies team won their pool, with the men finishing third to give the club overall second place on the day and put them second in Pool B for the season, a point behind Witham.

For the ladies, Francesca Green maintained her consistent form, putting in a strong finish to place 38th, with Helen Ivory making her season's cross-country debut in 40th. Carolyn Bownes (46th),Tina Clarke (47th) and Dawn Shilling (63rd) gave their usual great team support. In the men's race, Simon Morgan finished 39th, with Kevin Bownes continuing his strong comeback in 65th spot, followed by Vince Monk in 85th. Paul Dellar, in his first season for the club, finished 90th, with Phill Clarke (93rd) and Jamie Fairfull (97th) maintaining their top 100 performances. Rob Hadgraft finished 117th, with Matt Davey making his club debut in an encouraging 118th spot. Jim Slater finished 124th with Malcolm Bailey nursing a cold in 132nd. Dave Payne improved on his previous best in 136th spot, followed by Ian Linton in 142nd and Paul Lewis making his club debut in 157th. Matt Kett ran his first cross-country of the season in 162nd, with Roger Duffield completing his second race of the weekend in 165th and Barry Dobson in 169th.

The junior race saw Abigail Morgan getting her first prize-winning position with 3rd place in the U17 girls category and 37th overall. Georgina Haskey-Jones, a much younger competitor, finished 51st.

A tough muddy 3-lap course through Epping Forest proved a test for competitors in Saturday's Essex League fixture. Ted Skinner finished 109th with Roger Duffield getting his highest position of the season in 139th to maintain his lead in the V70 category.