Stratford AC's Georgie Campbell finishes as second junior and seventh overall at Midland Women's Cross-Country League opener

GEORGIE Campbell continued her fantastic start to the cross-country season by finishing as second junior at the opening Midland Women’s League Division One fixture in Crewe.

Campbell was one of the 13-strong Stratford AC team that laced up their shoes for the race at Betley Farm and she clocked 23:50 en route to finishing seventh overall.

Also placing well within her age category was Kate Wright (25:31) who finished sixth Master and 30th overall.

Next over the line for Stratford were Emma Bexson (60th, 27:23), Emily Orton (76th, 28:22), Vicky Sharpe (85th, 29:02), Suzie Ross (89th, 29:44), Bethany Swain (94th, 30:24), Kate Barney (102nd, 31:16), Emily Carr (108th, 31:50), Clare Goodwin (116th, 32:30), Pip Bell (129th, 34:43), Rebecca Pridham (133rd, 35:42) and Bridget Richards (143rd, 38:41) 143rd.

Cross-country first-timers Swain, Barney, Carr, Bell and Richards – who only joined the club a week ago – received a special mention for giving it their all and not letting being in the top division phase them.

Meanwhile, the 15-strong Stratford men’s cross-country team was over at Park Hall Country Park in Stoke for their Birmingham & District League Division Three fixture.

And there was an encouraging pointer for the future as three of the club’s juniors were competing with the senior team for the very first time.

On the day, Alex Pester (4th), Ned Campbell (9th), Richard Liggatt (13th) and senior debutant Taylor Stubbins (15th) all finished inside the top 15. Adam Linforth came home 39th and completing the A team was Tim Hutchinson in 41st.

For the B team, Paul Faithfull was just behind Hutchinson in 44th place, while Sam Wilks (52nd) just pipped Dave Teasdale (53rd) to the line after a close battle.

Rounding out the B team were Peter Sugden (72nd) and Max Ross (81st). John Raby (88th), debutant Rob Gisbourne (93rd), Nick Cooper (108th) and Nick Campbell (120th) also finished for Stratford.

A successful day ended with the club’s A and B team finishing in second place in their respective competitions and are well placed to be in the three promotion places.

Stratford are hosting the next race at the Welcombe Hills on the 3rd December at 1.30pm.