Cross-Country 11 (1968-69)

After several seasons in the wilderness, St. Nicholas is once again a force to be reckoned with on the cross country circuit. This is a fair conclusion from a successful season.

And yet it is a conclusion that might so easily have been very different: the team was probably the youngest in the area with only two recognised runners returning from the previous season: the reserve strength was practically non-existent (at no time were there more than ten runners from whom to pick a team) and the local circuit, which now includes teams from Coventry and Rochester, is one of the strongest in the country.

With these qualifications in mind the team's achievement in being outside the first three on only one occasion out of twenty-eight fixtures is an excellent testimony to their enthusiasm, courage and spirit. It is perhaps a little disappointing that the results contain so many second and third places, but this is largely a tribute to the Haberdashers' Aske's team who were always present and always had that little bit more strength in depth when it was needed.

In such a season the highlights are difficult to pick out. Clearly, winning the long coveted Ivanhoe Shield after so many near misses must rank as the season's best performance, and like so many other races this was the result of an excellent all-round team performance with only eighteen places separating the first and last scorers. Even the non-scorers played an important role and had it been eight to score, the team would have won by a rule'. For sheer excitement the Kerton Trophy relay race was unmatched throughout the season: the lead changed hands five times and the gap between the first three teams was never more than 400 yards until the end of the fifth lap. Although Haberdashers' Aske's eventually won by about 200 yards, this was the team's "finest hour" - no one ever got that close to Haberdashers Aske's again during the season. In the Borough Championships the Under-16 team (the majority of the senior team) ran superbly in very bad conditions to beat a very strong field, and in the Ranelagh Harriers Schools' Race a good team effort secured second place. Indeed this was the key-note of the season: even when someone had a bad race the rest of the team ran just that bit better in order to secure a place in the first three.

The team was quietly and very efficiently led by Narracott who ran with great determination and as "anchor" man of the relay team was always dependable. Kirke, the other holder of colours, had an excellent season, running with great fire and enthusiasm - only his indifferent performance in the County Championships (largely due to a heavy cold) prevented the season being the personal triumph that his regular training deserved. In his first full season as a cross country runner, Johnson was extremely impressive. In many ways he was the 'strong man' of the team and if he can overcome his reluctance to "attack" from the start, county honours could well be his next season. In the first few races Lovett's performance promised great things. but a lack of regular training meant that, although he always ran courageously, his achievements were well below his potential. Similarly Arkey's performances were spoilt by his disregard of training, but his contributions to the team effort were always of a positive nature. Ilott, for the Christmas term and Szelewski, for the spring term, make up the regular scoring six. llett generally ran strongly and his improvement throughout the term made his one bad performance - the Kerton Trophy race - even more disappointing. Szelewski, joining the team after a term's rugby, showed much potential ability with little positive result until the Grammar Schools Race when he ran superbly to finish fifteenth. Once he manages to adapt himself to the differing demands of cross country and relay running, even greater success should meet his considerable efforts.

Drake and Ackfield both trained and ran regularly, whilst Purchase and Knowles also played their part in the team's success.

With most of the team returning next year, the future holds much promise, and perhaps Haberdashers can be beaten fairly regularly.

My thanks to the whole team for an enjoyable and exciting season.