The guest athletes of Cambridge City Triathlon Club spiced up the fourth and penultimate round of the Chris Brasher College League on Sunday taking a surprise victory over the usual suspects from Jesus College.
Matt Clark of a mixed Homerton and Clare team demolished the rest of the field on the opening leg with the fastest time of the day covering the 3km route in just 9.26 leaving Jesus, Downing and the eventually triumphant triathletes trailing in his wake. The second leg saw Clark’s mixed team drop back whilst Jesus took the top spot following a safe performance from veteran Jesuit, Liam Richardson. However, it wasn’t until freshman Sam Ashcroft took the baton that the boys in red were able to gain any significant lead over the multi-discipline specialists, with his exceptional sub-10 minute run, extending the gap to 26 seconds. The real upset came then on the final leg with an incredible 9.40 clocking by Tom Vickery taking his guest team to a comfortable victory over collegiate winners and current league toppers Jesus. Meanwhile in Division II another strong showing from Magdalene, fielding three full teams, saw them maintain their position at the top making promotion at the end of the season almost a certainty.
A Women’s race absent of any visitors saw the ever-present Polly Keen of Murray Edwards take a convincing lead over Emmanuel’s Cat Bounds on the first leg, setting the joint-fastest leg of the day in the process. As Keen lacked a legitimate college team however, the second leg saw Emma’s Rose Penfold take to the top spot with a convincing three minute lead over their nearest rivals Trinity. It was a position the pink and navy girls would maintain thanks to Christie Noble’s 11.24 clocking matching to the very second that set by Keen on the opening leg. It was a strong performance by Emmanuel College and one that ensured they remain top of the division with a two-point cushion over Trinity and a further one point on third-placed Magdalene.
An all but decided Men’s season and a very much open Women’s one will both come to an end next week with the league finale of the Selwyn Relays. And a bitter Jesus will no doubt be anxious to avenge their defeat at the hands of the Tri Club and reassert their dominance once again.