The first Oxford Mail XC season kicked off in fine style at Newbury with a record turnout of Swindon Harriers and a superb set of results to match.

Pride of place went to our Senior Men who after relegation last year bounced back to not only win the first round in Division 2 but to outscore every team in Division 1 with a magnificent 89 points a massive 272 points clear of 2nd place. The SM scorers were Nyle Clinton (4th), Sergio Martinez–Gonzalez (5th), Simon Bryne (9th), Chris Reade (14th), Ethan Pierce (18th), Luke Bryne (19th) & Courtney Chessell (20th).

The remaining SM & Vets made up the B team with Simon Dill (34th), Martin Townsend (124th), Darren Davidse (144th), Bryan Tonkin (151st), Steve Connolly (223rd), Kieran Golding (249th) and John Dill (261st) taking the B team to 9th in Division.

The Senior Ladies were represented by Pauline Morgan (148th) and Lillie Bennett (204th).

Please please please if you are a senior lady who is a member of the club can we ask that you try and make the effort to compete at the next round in December, it would be great to give Pauline and Lillie some support regardless of where you finish in the race. Any questions about the what or how just speak to Bryan C, Steve C or John D.

The U9s is a mixed race and it was great to see our numbers increasing with Edward Smith (2nd) and Spencer Leak (3rd) brilliantly supported by Zach Howell (15th), Bella Howell (19th), Jesse Bryant (20th), Nial Bagot (32nd), Finlay Bryne (33rd) and Owen Williams (38th) making up our team. There is no league tables in Oxford Mail for U9/11s.

U11G were headed home by Ella Spencer (2nd) and Khaya Swaine (3rd) with great placings for Bella Ryder (13th), Meridith Prosser (25th), Isla Mccalla (42nd) and Rosie Hawkins (47th).

U11B were in short supply but solid runs from Joshua Stewart (36th) and Al Virgilio (50th) made sure we had some presence in the race.

The U13G was next up with a very strong field full of Girls who have competed at county level. Our Girls sit an Excellent 5th after round 1 with our A Team of Maisie McCalla (10th), Katie New (17th) and Millie White (18th) scoring really well. There were also good placings for Hannah Lewington (24th), Rebecca Cornell (26th), Chloe Scanlon(27th) and Rosheen O'Callaghan (34th).

The U13B look real contenders for this year's league title as the A team of Fletcher Hart (2nd) James Bagot (4th) and Samual Rai (10th) took the boys to the top of the table by 1 point from Radley. These same 3 boys recently finished 6th in the Southern area XC relays championships so are having a great season on the grass. They were superbly supported by Harry Edwards (20th) and Thomas Nichols (26th).

Another success story is our U15/17 Girls who sit in an excellent 3rd place after round 1 in what again is a very strong league. Lavinia Rai was first home in 7th followed by Rachel Oram (12th), Kelly–Marie Marsh (14th), Sophie Capel (21st), Beth Davidse (23rd), Lucy Spencer (25th), Josie Ryder (32nd) and Maddy Tonkin (37th).

Last but not least a great performance from our U15/17B also saw them finish the day in 3rd. Patrick Mohan (3rd), Harry Woods (10th), Ben Mcintrye (11th), Harry Cunningham (20th), Archie Peirce (26th), Joe Knibb (27th), Takuma Yokoyama (35th), Harrison Black (37th), Zachary Sparkes (46th) and Jonah Sparkes (49th) ensured we were represented in big numbers.

All in all we had 63 athletes compete on the day, the biggest number for many a year – well done everyone you did the club proud.

Next round is Sunday December 2nd at Cirencester Park, this course is flat as a pancake with a couple of minor hills and I'm assured that the weather is going to be hot and sunny so there is no excuse!

See you all there!

John Dill