Liz Stavreski found time on a weekend break to Morocco to nip out and secure a 1:23:16 pb before breakfast.

Ian Higgings has finally completed his year long WCTT streak and appears to have favoured bed over running for at least one Saturday morning this year. We have also noted the appearance of V70 Brian Leech sporting the saltire and setting a pb each week to date this year. This week saw fine runs from Anna Garnier and Andy Robinson to finish first lady and second man.

Our intrepid athletes couldn’t rest up after the Southerns, as the evening saw the inaugural “Flyder Cup” darts match between Thames and Belgrave at Belgrave Hall. A night of unforgettable drama saw fortunes swing to and fro, but ended with Belgrave snatching victory in the final leg.

It’s perhaps invidious to single out individuals, but Alun Johns and Nic Gould demonstrated rare ability, perhaps benefiting from their extended absences on the running front. James McMullan also showed that he can handle more than one sport, and Alison Carpenter celebrated Australia day with a handy command of the arrows. Many thanks to Will Cockerell and to Belgrave for their hospitality, revenge will be ours!...

Megan Wright made a rare but most welcome appearance in TH&H colours flying down from Scotland to run over the hilly and muddy course that she favours. Her journey paid off with an impressive 24th spot with Alison Carpenter and Lorna Celiku also running well.

1.	Rachel Townsend		31.36 (SW)(Winchester)
24.	Megan Wright		35.43 (SW)
120.	Alison Carpenter		40.59 (V50)
268.	Lorna Celiku		50.43 (SW)

Despite relatively dry weather leading up to the race, the Heath still showed most of its teeth, and those who braved it were treated to a typically muddy experience. The Men were superbly led by James McMullan, who finished 46th in his first attempt at this race, a performance which bodes extremely well for the future. The remainder of the team, while unable to repeat the heroics of yesteryear, ran steadily in what are always difficult conditions. Andy Weir (66th), Nick Altmann (92nd), Chris Daniels (101st – very impressive, pity you couldn’t do the Tough Guy!), Andy Howse (111th) and Simon Wurr (114th) secured 9th team. Well done to all who turned out and ran. For photos see: http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/7521277.

In a slippery Happy Valley Thames dominated the front of the match against South London Harriers and Herne Hill. Simon Wurr ran out winner on a course that he favours, just ahead of Dave Symonds who had an excellent run for second. Tom Kingsnorth was running with them before falling foul of the underfoot conditions when taking a heavy tumble. Liz Stavreski was the first lady home.

Thames won the match between all three clubs, but were defeated when scoring 11-a-side against the hosts. For some photos of the day see: http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/7482456

Scoring 11 a side:
SLH 115
THH 171

Scoring 6 per team:
THH 38
SLH 43
HHH 236

1	00:47:17	Simon	WURR
2	00:47:30	Dave	SYMONS
3	00:48:34	Tom	KINGSNORTH
6	00:49:56	Nick	ALTMANN
12	00:53:02	Larry	MATTHEWS
14	00:54:03	Anthony	DOOLITTLE
16	00:55:04	Liz	STAVRESKI
22	00:57:02	Chris	CHEESEMAN
31	01:00:00	Alison	CARPENTER
34	01:02:01	Al	GIBBONS
36	01:05:01	Peter	BLAIR-FISH
37	01:05:03	Dave	WALSH
44	01:10:00	Robin	MCNABB

Thames finished second behind very convincing winners Herne Hill at the third Surrey League fixture. This has left Thames with a lead of 551 points to 578 going into the final race in four weeks time. Further report to follow, but club results are below.

1	H Lobb	26.55
2	J McMullan	27.52
8	N Chisholm	28.21
11	A Weir	28.37
13	T Kingsnorth	28.52
16	J Mcfarlane	28.58
27	D Talbot	29.48
32	D Symons	29.59
40	A Howse	30.32
47	C Daniels	30.59
64	A Gaskell	31.3
66	S Molden	31.35
98	L Mathews	33.46
106	H Arnold	34.13

Naomi was the star of the day over a good muddy course with her third place finish securing the "A" team third team place (behind SLH and just behind Ranelagh). It was great to see us just short of closing three teams including first "B" team.

Naomi did us proud up front, finishing third making a very welcome return to cross country running, and likewise Dorchie getting back to racing. Then came the THH pack, Liz and Charlotte and the ladies captain to close the A team. Alison, Vikki, Rachel, Anna and Lorna to complete a very strong B team, and Sarah (new to the delights of cross country) to copmplete the C team of Maureen, Jane and Di. This leaves us in third spot in the league behind Ranealgh and Herne Hill. A good turnout for the last fixture could see us move up to second, but we have a resurgent South London team hot on our heels.

1 	EMILY NELSON 	  	E&E A 	23.43 
2 	FIONA CLARK 	  	REI A 	23.59 
3 	NAOMI WARNER 	  	THH A 	24.01 
18 	DORCHIE COCKRELL 	  	THH A 	25.42 
28 	ELIZABETH STAVRESKI 	THH A 	26.32 
30 	CHARLOTTE SAUNDERS 	THH A 	26.39 
38 	KATE SYMONS 	V 	THH A 	27.08 
46 	ALISON CARPENTER 	V 	THH B 	27.38 
51 	VIKKI FILSELL 	V 	THH B 	27.52 
60 	RACHEL HAINING 	V 	THH B 	28.28 
69 	ANNA GARNIER 	V 	THH B 	28.58 
128 	LORNA CELIKU 		THH B 	31.56 
131 	MAUREEN POOLE 	V 	THH C 	32.04 
140 	JANE BERTENSHAW 	  	THH C 	32.48 
143 	SARAH MARTIN 	  	THH C 	33.00 
157 	DIANE LEAKEY 	V 	THH C 	35.26

The men achieved silver medals at the Surrey County Championships, a great achievement bearing in mind the minimal size of the team.

Packing at the front was the order of the day, as James Mcmullan, John Mcfarlane and Neil Chisholm all had fine runs to finish 5th, 6th and 7th respectively. Andy Weir was his usual reliable self in 13th, with Al Kennis and Anthony Doolittle filling the vital 5th and 6th team slots in 51st and 66th respectively. Herne Hill were convincing winners, but their sterling efforts saw off the rest of the opposition.

Many thanks in particular to Al for coming all the way from Leeds to ensure that we completed a scoring team.

The ladies also performed with much credit, finishing 5th team, led home by Liz Stavreski in 20th, ably supported by Alison Carpenter (35th), Vicki Filsell (38th) and Maureen Poole (53rd).