Team win for Rovers at XC

Eastbourne Rovers were back in action in the East Sussex Sunday Cross Country League on Sunday (18th) at New Place Park, and were finally rewarded for their commitment and efforts to the cause with an overall team win!
The win sees Rovers now 2nd in the series heading into the back half of the season.
Despite the chilly start, 25 adults and 8 juniors turned out sensing the prospect of a good day. The ground was frozen but not icy at New Place Park, which meant for unusually firm conditions at what is normally the muddiest course on the circuit.
Juniors
The juniors set off first with Fox Andrews and Charlie Davey 4th and 5th for the U11 boys, and Grace Lufford-Brown 2nd in the U11 girls field.
It was a 1-2 in the U13 boys with Fin Lumber-Fry taking the win and Jonah Messah close behind in 2nd. Evie Lennard made it 3 wins in 3 races in the U13 girls.
Dermot O’Rourke was 2nd in the U17 boys race.
Seniors
The narrow start was chaotic with 357 runners raring to go. A few tumbles were witnessed but the Rovers managed to settle after some hairy moments early in the race.
Notable performances came from Luke Tomsett, 10th overall in his first cross country with the club. Alison Moore was 4th lady and maintained her grip at the top of the individual competition. Mike Thompson was 3rd in the M65 category. Sue Fry and Natalie Dawson were 1st and 2nd in the F50 category, with Liz Lumber 2nd in the F55 group.
The whole team’s effort contributed to the win. The scoring system means even where runners do not directly score points, they can influence how many points runners from other teams can score.
Halfway through the season and a number of individuals are in podium places for the series; Alison Moore and Laura Seaman are 1st and 3rd Senior Females, with Heather Jenner 3rd in F35, and Natalie Dawson 1st in F50. Mike Thompson is 2nd in M65.