South Downs Relay - 2nd June 2007
STUBBINGTON Green lost their South Downs Way Relay crown on another baking hot June day.
Agonisingly, the team lost out by just 99 seconds in the A team event after the gruelling 100-mile relay from Beachy Head to the Chilcomb Sports Ground near Winchester.
It ended a four-year winning streak for the team who were forced to make an 11th hour reshuffle when Malcolm Lavery stepped in to run for the squad after a late drop-out.
Without even having a chance to recce his three legs, Malcolm managed to avoid getting lost and helped the A team to a time of 10hrs 59mins 27sec.
They were just pipped by Steyning Athletic Club who lifted the A team crown with a time of 10:57.48. Stubbington were more than a quarter of an hour ahead of the third-placed club, Hailsham Harriers, who clocked 11:16.26.
However, all three clubs were put in the shade by Brighton & Hove City AC's vets who romped away with the vets title and overall honours on the day. Led by one of Britain's top veteran runners, Nigel Gates, the Sussex club won with a time of 10:46.28. Stubbington's vets' team were fourth in 12:22.20.
Stubbington's B team struggled to recapture their second place of 12 months ago after Eric Beck was injured on his first leg, losing quite a bit of time. Eric bravely ran his remaining two legs despite having his ankle heavily strapped, and it was left to Nick Crane to bring the boys home in the dark at 9.45pm with a finish time of 14:15.10 and seventh place. Phoenix Old Boys won the B team title in a time of 12:39.39.
Men's A team: Malcolm Lavery, Richard Thomas, Simon Hearnden, Tor Duffin, Andy Simpson, Mark Le Gassick.
Men's B team: Nick Crane, Richard Simms, Dave King, Eric Beck, Marcus Lee, Jon Leigh.
Vets team: Ray Gunner, Tim Crumpton, Paul Hammond, John Exley, Alasdair Ewing, Chris Hall.
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