The conditions for cross country running were atrocious on Saturday but the irrepressibles of South London Harriers turned out in large numbers to compete in the second of the Surrey League Division One Matches, writes Viv Gardner.

The women’s match hosted by Dorking and Mole Valley at Denbies Vineyard had the worst of the weather but South London Harriers were still able to hold their lead at the top of the league after a close fought match where Belgrave Harriers finished just one point ahead of them.

SLH’s Georgie Bruinvels won the match for the senior women in 22.40, Beckie Woodland was sixth in 24.12, Ruth Hutton was 15th in 24.52, Pippa Major was 17th in 25.05 and Christine Costiff rounded off the scoring A team in 36th place in 25.57.

The B team of Viv Mitchell (27.21), Kate Hewett (27.31), Pam Iannella (27.56), Caroline Cattini (28.03) and Sylvie Kah (30.04) were 19th.

The U13 girls had 12 competitors from SLH with their A team finishing second.

Alex Roberts was ninth (15.09), Tessa Billup was 10th (15.16), Amy Billup was 12th (15.16) and Keauna Phillips-Darke was 13th (15.49).

The B team were fourth.

In the U15’s race, SLH was represented by Sophie Foreman who had an excellent third place finish in 16.11 and Helen Wilson was equally as successful with her third place in the under 17’s race in 15.50.

SLH men had the advantage of a home match on Farthing Downs. The rain had subsided by the time of their afternoon race but it was still extremely windy.

25 club members turned out to run and SLH had their best Surrey League placing for some time, finishing third.

The scoring team of 10 were: Jason Simpson, 11th in 30.13, Michael McManus, 32nd in 31.23, Ryan Evans in his first race for the club, 49th in 32.19, Chris Phelan, 54th in 32.31, Matt Chapman, 55th in 32.37, Andy Collins 56th in 32.42, Jim Burdett, 57th in 32.47, Michael Lloyd, 60th in 32.51, David Ogden, 61st in 32.51 and Glenn Quarton, 62nd in 32.57.

U13 year old Tom Holden had another superb run to win his race in 16.34, having also won his age group in the Lord Mayor’s Mile in the City of London in the morning. In the U17s event, Adam Gye was 5th in 16.42, David Sidwell was 13th in 18.26, Dildhan De-Silver was 14th in 18.37 and Greg Campbell was 16th in 19.23 giving them third place in the league overall.

having also won his age group in the Lord Mayor’s Mile in the City of London in the morning.