Ladies Surrey League, Division1 Match 3, Lloyd Park, Saturday 14th January

BELLES MOVE UP TO THIRD OVERALL AS SOPHIE SHINES AT LLOYD PARK. Author: Charlie DickinsonPhoto Credit: Matt WelshAnother good turnout by the Belles with two complete teams and a breakthrough performance from Sophie Harris at a very wintery Lloyd Park in the Surrey League.

Never the most appealing of venues particularly in January, our team was welcomed by freezing drizzle just before the start and two inches of snow on the top of the course. Then they were told to wait a further 15 minutes to allow latecomers to get there. Our team had been ready in good time (even Justine) so not even the team managers 'Granddad' joke raised more than a glimmer of a smile.

However, team spirit has been the hallmark this season and as soon as the race started all ran really positively on a course slightly hardened by the overnight frost making it a little easier under foot than in the Surrey's the previous week.

This attitude was exemplified by Fiona Maddocks, in the 'B' team, running her usual strong race then immediately jumping on the tram to join her hockey team for their afternoon match. Ahead of her, leading the 'B' team home with a very good run was Helen White who started much further up the field than usual and managed to hold her position very well.

After Fiona came Megan Bailey, not feeling quite 100%, but 'I'll run anyway', her usual reliable self, followed by Vicki Goodwin, her third consecutive race and getting stronger with each, then Sarah McKelvey, thankfully recovered from her ankle injury, completing the team.

The 'A' team was lead home by an outstanding run by Sophie Harris in 10th place. This is her first season running competitively and she has so far been wisely cautious in races starting steadily and working through the field. However, this time she set off in the first twenty at the frenetic start, and still managed pass several by the end of the first lap, moving up to 12th, then another couple on the second lap to finish in 10th just behind the vastly experienced Amy Clements of Kent AC.

Next to finish was Zoe Doyle, now concentrating on middle distance track races, particularly the World Masters Indoor Championships in March, she finds the 8km rather along way. But Zoe has a fine record over the country and produced another excellent performance. Then came Jojo Rhodes, now over her injuries and running a very sensible race moving past many on the second lap including Christina Pennock and Justine Lynch who had their usual cat and mouse race with Christina finishing ahead.

Results : https://surreyleague.org/sll/race/132/ The Girls in Action !First Row L:R Sarah McKelvey, Vicki GoodwinSecond Row: Megan Bailey, Fi Maddocks, Helen WhiteThird Row: Justine Lynch, Christine Pennock, JoJo Rhodes,Zoe DoyleForth Row: Sophie Harris