Chiltern League Division II - 2003/04 Total Overall Score  

Watford

Luton

Luton

Slough

Wing

Total

1

BEARBROOK JOGGERS

944

593

782

756

779

3854

2

LEIGHTON BUZZARD

964

762

616

733

683

3758

3

MAIDENHEAD

915

540

659

819

712

3645

4

TRING RUNNING CLUB

760

609

710

681

656

3416

5

HANDY CROSS

655

399

566

830

598

3048

6

THAME RUNNERS

643

528

430

520

545

2666

7

SILSON JOGGERS

482

443

562

620

487

2594

8

BURNHAM JOGGERS

701

439

479

612

347

2578

9

GADE VALLEY

550

456

438

471

379

2294

10

BANBURY

562

361

372

368

543

2206

11

WYCOMBE PHOENIX

455

311

322

453

353

1894

12

BIGGLESWADE

330

292

132

62

134

950

13

HAYES & HARLINGTON

238

155

60

187

159

799

14

METROS

12

36

13

61

15

BRUNEL JUNIORS

34

34

16

BUCKINGHAM & STOWE

3

3

14 February: Wing

Spectacular views over rolling countryside greeted us at Wing - unfortunately no other of our teammates did. Whatever the reason for the no shows, the fact that the "team" once again travelled to a cross-country fixture in just one car was disappointing, especially as conditions were ideal and this is arguably the best location of the season.

The handful of  Hayes runners that did turn up were treated to a multi lap races over a compact, demanding course with plenty of  sticky mud that clung to shoes making for tough running. Matt Wilkins made the most of the conditions finishing 15th with Ian Robinson 75th and an improving Graham Darvill 78th, but is was Michelle Sampson who deserves recognition, finishing 39th in the Ladies event despite this being only her 2nd cross-country race. Results

In the individual rankings for the season only three Hayes runners finished four or more events to qualify, not surprisingly Matt Wilkins was out in front finishing 9th in Division II Senior Men, with Graham Darvill 25th. Ian Robinson finished 28th in the Div II V40 Men. 

10 January: Slough 

Never judge a book by its cover. From the assembly area Upton Court Park looks pretty tame bearing more than a passing resemblance to the Met League fixture at Wormwood Scrubs. However recent rain had left the ground waterlogged and the going was heavy. After experiencing three laps around the football pitches, toiling through the mud and slogging up the inclines I can vouch that the course is no stroll in the park. 

Despite this being the most local of the League fixtures our Senior Men's team was depleted once again with just four runners in the eight to score competition, however we did have Matt Wilkins back to boost the points tally. On an otherwise grey afternoon the only ray of sunlight was that we managed to field a team of three in the Ladies race, with Michelle Sampson making her debut and apparently enjoying it.  Our cumulative points total of 188 was the second best of the season - this wasn't enough to move us from 13th in Div II but it did close the gap on 12th placed Biggleswade by 126 points. Results

29 November: Luton (again)

Sitting in the car at Stockwood Park watching the rain sheet down from a leaden sky before scudding sideways in bleak gusts against the windscreen, at least one of us began to doubt their previously unshakeable commitment to cross-country. With a total team of 3 this was going to be a disastrous fixture and pre-race spirits were as grim as the weather. But 20 short minutes later, and part of the cavalry charge across the Bedfordshire turf, all those negative thoughts evaporated in the warmth of the knowledge that this was the most enjoyable event so far.

How come? Well, just on cue there was a brief pause in the deluge and even the wind, which appears to be permanent feature of this venue, subsided a little. All that rain had finally softened the ground and for the first time this season, spikes worked a treat.  There wasn't too much in the way of mud but Peter Furness did manage to find a couple of good patches to fall over in. Graham Darvill maintained his 100% attendance record with another good run finishing just behind Ian Robinson. With only 5 places separating our "team" we were at least able to congratulate ourselves on the good grouping despite only scoring 60 points. Results

1 November: Luton 

The first of two consecutive visits to Stockwood Park was marked by a good Hayes turnout for once - we even managed a baggage tent. Like Watford, the course was firm underfoot and didn't take a spike too well (I came to that stunning conclusion after the men's race which left my baby-soft feet mangled). Unlike Watford, the wind chill made it feel like proper cross-country weather.

Sam Shimakage's first run of the season will long be remembered for his new running technique which he claims is a traditional Japanese form. This involved swinging the arm forward at the same time as the corresponding leg (i.e. right arm with right leg). It may have looked incredibly awkward, but Sam maintains the style is far more energy efficient - based on today's performance it may be some time before he persuades the rest of us to give it a go!

As for the results, our sheer weight of numbers, which include a full Male Vet team, caused the Men to move off the bottom of the table in both the Seniors and Vets competitions, but the women still reside in the basement. Results

October 11: Watford

Jacqui Howell, Nick Miles and Graham Darvill all made their cross-country debuts on a fine Autumn afternoon at the fag end of a glorious Indian Summer. Conditions at Cassiobury Park were so dry that warnings were given against wearing spikes and several back markers got lost in the dust cloud. Despite the absence of cold, wet and mud, it was great to be starting the new season and we relished every second of it.

Matt Wilkins had a great race finishing 24th as did Nick Miles who demonstrated an impressive kick in a spectacular if ultimately unrewarding sprint for the line which resulted in several of the old boys breaking into spontaneous cheers. Graham Darvill, who only started running 6 months ago, put the "I don't do grass" section of the club to shame with a measured run and the promise of even better at the next match.  With only six men and two women we were destined to struggle but it was still a little disappointing to discover we prop up both the Men's and Ladies league tables. Results