Ealing Eagles Run Into Trouble

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Tough fixture at St. Albans sees a depleted squad slip down the table

Ealing Eagles men's cross-country team slipped from third place in the Sunday League table after a tough fixture at St Albans.

Just a second separated regulars Jonas Schumacher, Jose Manuel Pabon and Ricardo Agostinho. They placed 11th, 12th and 13th respectively, with Schumacher completing the 5.4-mile course in 33mins 45secs.

Despite strong performances from Yan Tsacpounidis, John Clifford and Steve McCracken, the absence of previous top performer Mark Vardy made for a below-par score for the Eagles men. It left them in sixth place after the third of five races.

Jennifer Watt was again the first of the Eagles ladies home, clocking 41.45 to finish as 15th woman and 121st overall.

Katya Saville and debutant Ossai Santos-Oputa also performed well. However, the women slipped a place to 13th, while the Eagles combined performance saw them drop behind Serpentine to place eighth of 17 clubs.

Team leader Paul Thomas said the club had travelled with a depleted squad because many members were taking part in the Twickenham 10k.

But he added: "We should be back at full-strength for the trip to Royston on Januaryt 13, when we hope to climb a few places up the table."

Twenty-seven Eagles ran in Twickenham, with Dave Chryssides first home in 41mins 09secs (24th overall). Amelia Ritchie was first woman in 47:13 (90th).

Meanwhile, special applause was reserved for popular member Shane O'Halloran, who completed what was his first race over any distance in 1:09:46.

Full results from Sunday League fixture at St Albans on 9 December:

Overall Position

11th Jonas Schumacher 33:45
12th Jose Manuel Pabon 33:46
13th Ricardo Agostinho 33:46
79th Yan Tsacpounidis 39:15
91th Colin Overton 40:08
105th John Clifford 41:03
116th Steve McCracken 41:34
121st Jennifer Watt 41:45
183rd Paul Thomas 45:42
244th Piers Keenleyside 50:08
261st Katya Saville 51:31
263rd Dave Kelly 51:39
270th Ossai Santos-Oputa 52:05

For more information, contact Andy McFarlane on 07905 919658

 

 

December 19, 2012