Hants XC Overton, 3rd December 2005
PORTSMOUTH Football Club fanatic, Chris Hall, has had a few things on his mind of late. There's been the small matter of Pompey's fragile Premiership survival, whether Harry Redknapp is going to return as the new manager at Fratton Park, and the small matter on Saturday afternoon of a Titanic tussle against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
But Chris managed to put all those worries behind him for 32 minutes at Ashe Meadow in Overton for the third round of the Hampshire Cross Country League.
Showing a swifter turn of pace than Pompey's misfiring attack this season, the Stubbington runner marvelled in the mud to finish as the fifth best-placed veteran.
Chris clocked 32min 19sec on the day to come 50th overall in a race won convincingly by Alton's Toby Lambert - victor at last weekend's Hayling 10 - who was just 8 seconds clear of nearest challenger, Andy Morgan-Lee from Southampton Running Club.
It was a good day for Stubbington, who fielded a very strong men's team and were rewarded by finishing fifth best team. The vet's team, with Chris at the fore, are lying second in Division 1 just behind Overton. Ray Gunner, who lies 15th overall in the vet rankings, and Mike Harper in 16th, have put Stubbington to the fore.
Stubbington also managed to field a women's team, with four runners taking part led by Lesley Harding. She finished 59th in 28min 28sec, and was followed by Geraldine Perrier in 66th (29:51), Jane Butler in 73rd with 31:12 and Chris Haskell in 76th (32:05).
Conditions were fairy dry on a hilly course around Overton.The rain managed to hold off and although a little chilly, conditions were ideal for racing.
Seventh-placed Mark Le Gassick headed the Stubbington male contingent and lies eighth overall. Kieran Raval was two minutes down on Mark for 27th place and 40th overall, while Stubbington's strength in depth was demonstrated by placing five runners in the top 50 with Tor Duffin 35th (42nd overall), Gordon Reid 43rd (35th) and the aforementioned Chris Hall in 50th (55th).
Other results: 62 Andy Simpson (81st overall), 75 Ray Gunner (88th), 79 Mike Harper (94th), 95 E Marson, 109 Graham Bell (103rd), 115 John Exley (131st), 125th Phil May (138th), 143rd Mike Bell (157th), 147 Nick Crane (167th).
Like Pompey, Stubbington are fighting hard to stay in the Hampshire Cross Country League's top flight. They lie ninth in the 10 team league, with Bournemouth AC bringing up the rear, but five teams at the bottom closely bunched together.
Team manager, Andy Simpson said: "Anyone from sixth position down is catchable. We need two more performances like that and we should be safe from relegation."
Stubbington should be safe from the drop - but will Chris Hall's Pompey?! His mood after the race wasn't helped by an inevitable 3-0 loss against Manchester United - but at least Harry Redknapp looks as though he's on his way back from Saints!!