Battling Display at Borders League

West Cheshire AC’s men’s squad are winning their battle to beat the drop.The Chester and Ellesmere Port-based club hoisted themselves out of the relegation zone in Division One of the Borders Road Running League with a battling display at the penultimate round held at Deeside College, Connah’s Quay.
The men’s squad were staring relegation in the face just two races ago due to a series of depleted teams being fielded in the league campaign since the opening round in October.
But the appointment of road running club secretary, Chris Rhodes, and his assistant, Bob Benson, has breathed new life into the rejuvenated squad, coupled by the appearance of several debutants.
Dave Alexander, fresh from his appearance at Nottingham for Cheshire at the Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships, spearheaded West Cheshire’s charge at Deeside.
He headed West Cheshire’s 24-strong squad by completing the 4.5 miles course in 25 minutes 10 seconds to secure 16th position.
Relatively new members Jeff Kettle, Darragh Staunton, Jeff McQueen and Dan Harris all provided important back-up in their club’s strong showing.
Jeff clocked 25:44 for 26th position, while Darragh posted 25:50 for 28th spot, Jeff McQueen finished 31st in 26:02, and Dan secured 34th place in 26:08.
Dependable Andrew Clague was West Cheshire’s sixth counter in 47th position (26:39), and Russell Kirk rounded the course in 26:46 for 52nd position.
Dave Tiernan completed his race in 57th position (26:55), ahead of Gary Withers (fourth over-50 finisher and 63rd overall in 27:09), and final team counting member, Rob Tudor, who produced 27:19 for 68th position.
West Cheshire AC’s other finishers in the men’s race included Bob Benson (fifth over-55 and 85th overall in 28:09), Alan Bevan (98th in 28:49), Max Woods (101st in 28:57), Paul Price (104th in 29:06), Chris Rhodes (116th in 29:48), Clive Donovan (125th in 30:39), Neil Atkinson (126th in 30:40), Nic Ogilvie (152nd in 33:02), Brian Beattie (169th in 34:50), Tony Thackray (178th in 38:24), and Geoff Harvey (182nd in 40:30).
Ruth Hetherington was West Cheshire’s first lady home at Deeside.
The club debutant finished the race in 34:44 for 40th position in the ladies race.
Ruth was joined by Sacha Kendall-Woods who finished 54th (10th over-35 finisher), in 37:11, and debutant Cath Ogilvie (62nd and 11th over-45 finisher), in 41:22.
Team Results (overall, after six rounds)
Men’s – Division One: 1 Eryri 2455 points; 2 Buckley 2511; 3 Wallasey 3545; 4 Prestatyn 3699; 5 West Cheshire 4599; 6 Abergele 4705; 7 Ellesmere Port 5550.
Division Two: 1 Wirral 1412; 2 Wrexham 2431; 3 Deeside 2810; 4 Wrecsam Tri 3865; 5 Tattenhall 4127; 6 Chester Tri 4338; 7 Deestriders 4701; 8 Helsby 6522.
Ladies – Division One: 1 Tattenhall 269; 2 Buckley 397; 3 Wirral 458; 4 Wallasey 644; 5 Prestatyn 677; 6 Eryri 859; 7 Deestriders 1129.
Division Two: 1 Chester Tri 342; 2 Ellesmere Port 473; 3 Helsby 537; 4 Wrexham 755; 5 Deeside 821; 6 Wrecsam Tri 910; 7 West Cheshire 1549; 8 Abergele 1583.
Veterans – 1 Buckley 2060; 2 West Cheshire 2580; 3 Wallasey 2715; 4 Ellesmere Port 2761; 5 Prestatyn 2762; 6 Wirral 3129; 7 Abergele 3245; 8 Eryri 3621; 9 Wrexham 3806; 10 Tattenhall 4245; 11 Deestriders 4839; 12 Chester Tri 4840; 13 Wrecsam Tri 5528; 14 Helsby 5725.