Surrey Cross Country League Fixture Two – Race Report

The woods of Wimbledon Common shone an unseasonal green last weekend as Guildford and Godalming stated their intent for an immediate return to Division One of the Surrey Cross Country League with a resurgent display. 

Established talent Ben Wallis powered over the line in a tight finish to take victory in a time of 26.24, while three of the resurgent club’s finest prospects for the season, Jon Dewey, Ben Evans and Matt Fellows, followed soon after in forth, sixth and eighth respectively. It was Wallis’s maiden victory on the Cross Country circuit and the first by a member of the Spectrum-based club for over five years.  

The tight and twisting Wimbledon course required astute tactical racing and Guildford called upon strong squad experience from the likes of Andy Eakins and Mark Tennyson to add four further top sixty finishes and valuable points for the club.

A determined effort from all the squad to fight through the strong field was epitomised by Brian O’Kane, who had returned from a lengthy exodus in the Spanish wilderness to add points in only his second race back.
Guildford ended the day 70 points behind a strong Ranelgh Harriers outfit, leaving them pushing for third spot in Division Two going into the next race in Epsom in January.