Grantchester Meadows 2005
By Celina Hutton
Those enjoying a peaceful Sunday stroll looked on bemused as this year's second cross-country league match reigned over Granchester Meadows for the better part of the early afternoon. The day was marked by a thankful lack of rain, husbandry, and manure, which helped to encourage the 10% increase in attendance this year. In fact a decent amount of good clean fun was had by all: if one discounts sweat as a natural bodily function, and those few unfortunate souls who took a full-frontal liking to the mud.
The women clamoured off at 2PM sharp after a briefing from Club Captain Si Rutherford on pedestrian rights of way, public footpaths, and domesticated animals. Fresh faces Charlotte Forbes and Trisha Peters led the pack, both looking particularly promising in their first year with the club. Charlotte, hailing from Aberdeen, sealed her victory in an impressive 10.53mins, followed shortly by Joan Lasenby, Trisha Peters, and Women's Captain Catherine Wood.
The thunderous army of 85 men started their journey of two laps of the Meadows five minutes after the women. Will George completed the process in 18.08mins with a large grin on his face, making his near 50-second lead look decidedly easy. Second place was also well established with a smashing performance by Andy Bell. Mr. Bell, who has taken massive strides from his position of ninth in the race last year, is showing himself as a force to be reckoned with this season. The fiercest battle, however, was waged for 7th place with Steve Benson, Matt Sims, Tom Offord, and Rich Mathie sprinting shoulder to shoulder at the end with Benson narrowly pulling out in front.
As for the league overall, Trinity's women were unshaken from their position at the head of the table. Trinity polished off its second straight victory of the season with a 6-person strong team, and its top runners clinching 2nd, 6th, and 7th- to snatch a tasty 153 race points, and another solid 8 for the league. Hot on their heels, however, remain the women of Queen's again taking second with eight women in attendance.
In the Men's first division Jesus won the day followed by Queen's. The results of the match leave the Men's first division closely paired- with Jesus and Queen's tied for first, Catz and Girton for second, and Robinson and Wolfson for third. One can see there's still plenty of room for manoeuvring left this season.
Sidney bagging 221 race points, however, clearly and comfortably won the Men's second division, a solid 42 points ahead of their closest rival on the day, Peterhouse. The end result left Sidney well established at the top of the League with Caius, Churchill, and Clare neck-and-neck for second place.
Finally, the greatest round of thanks has to go to the faithful marshals and league organisers who held open the gates, floured the ground, and yelled a steady stream of inoffensive encouraging words at the competitors. Hats off in particular go to Miss. Vinnicombe, Dixon, and Knight for all their efforts, as well as to Sweatshop for once again providing numbers and sponsorship.