Fresh Faced Squad Just Needs A Little Time

 “You can’t win anything with kids,” observed Alan Hansen, unwisely. You can of course, they just need to bond and gel. This was a remarkable squad of 17 we fielded on this tight course, with some long climbs, and in the face of an assault from the opposition that was pretty violent.It was noted before kick-off that there wasn’t a sacrificial lamb in sight, and although that’s maybe a bit kind on Guildford who promptly sunk without trace, all other eight clubs were brim full of running quality.The start was pretty mad – a severe bottleneck then sharp right after less than 100 yards. Many weren’t happy, but it was dramatic, and great fun for the crowd to see the runners again after a couple of minutes. Paskar was looking to make history – the first ever man to win four races in a row. He knew Andy Maud was the problem, and had his strategy locked down before the gun. And it doesn’t take Einstein to work out what it was. Wait… and when you want to go… wait… and when you really want to go… wait… and when you’re absolutely desperate to make a break for freedom? Think about it.Finally, on the last 300 yard uphill drag into the finish PO picked his moment and unleashed a cruel finishing burst. Maud refused to fold easily though and kept our boy honest right through to the line which he crossed with just a second to spare. Marvellous! Paskar is now up to 12 league wins where he joins the great Dave Taylor.Our supporters then had a moment to catch their breaths, and we had some Belgrave royalty in the crowd with Mr Bicourt [one double-Olympian cheering on another], leading the rabble, which included messrs Laws and Mather. Soon they were calling Gus home, who secured an outstanding 10^th place on so little quality running, with his calf barking angrily throughout. A true captain’s innings, and we can only hope that things settle down for him.Andrius had a sluggish start in the melee; a 2^nd/1,023 at Bushy Parkrun hours earlier will do that to ya’, but he slowly nibbled his way through the field. I came next with a workmanlike tour, having not missed this season opener since 1997 – always one of my favourite days in the calendar.And then a remarkable piece of packing by our lads. Yes, we need to hoist that pack a minute up the way, but it’s still great to see such a gnarly brotherhood working together in proximity. First up was the heroic Kieran. Now that course was a minefield for those with 20/20 vision, what with the low-lying tree branches, hidden roots, sharp turns, descents and bottlenecks. Now imagine trying to do it with 14/20 vision which is KG’s lot. He had no choice but to let the big boys go early doors and spent the rest of the race trying to make up lost ground. By the end he felt he was just getting going, and given a broader, less treacherous start, he’ll be way up in future meets.Gregg and Ted, two of no less than six debutants in action, had delusions of grandeur and suffered for their early raids on enemy lines, but we still love what we see. And sandwiched in between was the ever-game Nicky-boy. We rounded off with two old faves in Ben and the Trondheim Stallion who notched his 40^th Surrey league score to put him level with Gerry North.And then there were the magnificent seven, with the twinny Ben and Tom (we’ll learn to tell them apart for the next one!), a returning Owain Lewes after many years overseas, and Phil, Rob, Stephen and Tezza, who was 6^th for us a year ago, and 17^th here – a sign of our progress.So, the diagnosis may be just four points off the relegation zone, but we’re not worried about that. We’re going forward. Our average age was a respectable 32 – Herne Hill’s was an out-of-control 43! I know whose boat I’d rather be in. We had a huge raft of talented unavailables, including Wicksy – something about going into labour – excuses, excuses; and we’ve just signed up an outstanding runner who will be available from Nov 1. So this team will get better every time out, all it needs is some more miles in the bank, and the strategic nous that comes with experience.1 P Owor (Belgrave H) 24:13; 10 G Upton 25:44; 27 A Jaksevicius 26:34; 51 W Cockerell 27:31; 78 K Gilfedder 28:27; 84 G Clark 28:37; 87 N Smallwood 28:39; 88 T Oldman 28:40; 93 B Hurley 28:56; 96 K Hegvold 29:01; 112 B Moores 29:45; 118 T O’Beirne 29:58; 135 O Lewes 30:44; 156 R Norville 32:38; 158 S Addicott 32:46; 159 P Carstairs 32:48; 162 T O’Neill 33:13… 199 finished.Teams: 1 Kent 218; 2 SLH 321; 3 THH 343… 7 Belg 553.Full resultsGallery courtesy of WRL[gallery_bank type="images" format="thumbnail" title="true" desc="false" responsive="true" animation_effect="bounce" album_title="true" album_id="21"]