Bels win at West Horsley Place and secure Surrey League ‘B’ title for third season running

Belgrave Harriers won the final round of the men’s Surrey Cross Country League at West Horsley Place, securing second in the team standings as well as their third consecutive ‘B’ title.

Thirty-nine Bels lined up for the season finale of the Surrey Cross Country League. Their chances of winning the league outright were, in truth, incredibly slim. But Dylan Evans’ victory helped a strong Bels side win the match, making it their second win of this term’s four fixtures.

Setting off an hour before the Belles’ victory - which would secure their second title in three years - the team faced a mixed 8km of firm terrain and sapping, squelching bog. Dylan romped home to first place, finishing 41 seconds ahead of Dulwich’s Max Milarvie, who won the overall men’s individual championship.

Dylan Evans storms to victory

Credit: Danny Easton

Belgrave were heavily represented in the upper echelons on the individual race results. Sam Gebreselassie’s return to form continued with a fine fifth place, followed by Ollie Garrod and Eoin Molloy in seventh and eighth respectively. Fin Dyer recovered from a tough Southern Champs to score a brilliant 11th, while Henry Hart rounded off our scorers in 13th. Henry finished fifth in the men’s individual standings, and this was his highest placing out of the four fixtures.

Andy Fyfe and Sam Sommerville finished close behind in 20th and 21st respectively. In an illustration of the sheer depth of this division, our next finisher, Matt Edgar, came home just over a minute later - and 31 places back in 52nd. Sam Rodda finished a place behind him - completing our ‘A’ scorers - followed by Conall McNally and Jonny Neville, both of whom are now entering the deeper throes of marathon training.

Conall and Jonny headed a list of ‘B’ scorers also comprising Angus Lamb, Louis Clarke, Craig Ruddy, Rob Kelly, Charlie Le Grand, James Roberts, Tom Lole and George Loxton. Morale is high in the group and the ‘B’ shield was a deserved way to mark the hard work and dedication of our growing squad.

Ultimately, two dominant wins for Hercules Wimbledon in the second and third rounds of the season were the difference that secured their title. We congratulate Hercules on a superb team performance and can’t wait to toe the line with them again in October. 

A proud Bels side show off their ‘B’ title

Credit: Danny Easton