Narrow Surrey League win for the Belles on Wimbledon Common

A very strong Belles team won both the 'A' and 'B' team races in the second Surrey League Cross Country match on Wimbledon Common.

The 'A' team beat league leaders Herne Hill Harriers by just one point to move into third place overall after two matches. The team, however, has 40 points to make up if it is to retain the title it so convincingly won last year.

The Belles 'B' team finished in an excellent fourth, beating twelve other 'A' team clubs and extending its lead by over 100 points.

This was a joint home match organised together with Hercules Wimbledon, which was held on a new course starting near the Windmill on Wimbledon Common.

Conditions were almost spring-like with warm sunshine and little wind. The course proved to be rather stony in parts and well short of the intended 6km, which didn't suit many of the Belles. Many Belgravians both old and young helped to support, marshal and officiate on an excellent day for the club.

Lea Adamson, who is running so well and injury-free at last, led the Belles home just missing out on a top ten place being overtaken in the finishing straight.

She was followed closely behind by an outstanding run by Felicity Harrison in her first ever Surrey League race. Then came the rest of the 'A' team train, Rachel Brown, Naomi Lenane and Jess Saunders in 16th, 17th and 18th, all five scorers under 20.

The 'B' team pack followed closely behind with Nat Beadle, Laura Goodson, Lizzie Goldie-Scot and Ella-May Hards in 25th, 26th, 27th, and 28th , then Imogen Mackie completing the team in 35th.

The Belles continued to fly through the finish line. Sarah Riceman finished in 39th, Flora Whyte 41st, new member Samantha Munday 43rd, Mimi Corden-Lloyd - who would much prefer a longer course - in 49th, and team captain Mhairi Hall -who impressed as team manager on the day - finishing just behind in 50th.

And still they continued, Clemmie Cooper in 58th, Lydia Gallyer-Barnett in 59th, Liv Papaioannou 73rd, Sarah Dewhirst 78th and yet another new member Ellen Erskine finishing just inside the top 100.

All of these runners are so important for the team beating the scoring athletes from other clubs which enhances the Belles ‘A’ and ‘B’ team scores.

Finally, helping to shore up the 23 Belles taking part, two more new members - Mollie Valentine and Giulia Roverto - finished in 115th and 160th, with Jennifer Beecroft still supporting the team 14 years after her debut for the club, well inside the 242 finishers.

'A' teams, 1. HHH 151, 2. Kent AC 172, 3. Belles 191.

'B' teams, 1. Belles 351, 2, HHH 453.