Tough Nationals Day at Caterham

Thursday 12th October saw JFS enter a Junior and Inter team into Round One of the National XC Schools Cup. This would be a tough ask with 16 schools entered, an unknown course at Caterham and a high pedigree field. However the 12 boys all traveled with high hopes.

The course was indeed very tough, a flat start but then a rapid ascent up a long hill with single file only possible. What goes up must come down and so the descent would be fast but perilous with heavy forest either side with its resultant trip hazards. A chicane at the bottom was designed to slow the pace which was followed by a flat sprint to the finish.

The Juniors team was made up entirely on Year 8 runners, chosen after the House XC Champs the previous week. It was soon clear that it would be a very tough race from the start. All 6 of the runners did themselves immensely proud, evidenced by their condition upon reaching the final funnel. All had given everything in the cause, and had been battered by their opponents as well as the course.

The finishing positions were as follows

Joe Hancock  26th

Ebuka Nkamuo  41st

Oscar Wilson  42nd

Jhon Hilario  48th

Oliver Boxall  68th

Paul Hewitt  74th

Well done to Joe for finishing as first JFS runner, but well done to all the team. A finishing team position of 11th was a fair reflection on the day and the run would have made all stronger and fitter!

A few action shots below

The Inters had to run the previously mentioned hill twice which was a daunting proposition but the team had good quality and runners in form. As it was the team finished in 6th position which was, once again a very fair reflection on the quality of opposition. Once again all runners ran well and with huge spirit. Dave Bodie had to pull out with a hamstring injury, and Saul Harvey was left bleeding from a cut in his knee.

The final finishing positions were:

Freddy Georgiou  11th
Alfie Smith  20th
Peter Edwards  37th
Joe Conroy  47th
Saul Harvey  53th
Dave Bode  INJ

Freddy continued his fine recent form, and Alfie showed his class. Peter continued his resurgence with another impressive run whilst Joe Conroy and Saul Harvey ran with superb determination to finish in the top half.

Well done to all the runners, no progress to round two, but all can be proud that they competed in the National Cup and represented John Fisher with distinction