Juniors on track at Lasswade XC

The traditional courses might have been re-routed and the usual tough climb omitted due to the Borders Railway works, but nothing could derail the efforts of a very healthy Moorfoot contingent at the Lasswade Cross Country on Sunday, not even the club gazebo dramatically falling victim to the gusty winds.

With strong opposition from the likes of Giffnock North, Pitreavie, Edinburgh and Airdrie, a fantastic return of four team wins and two thirds was just reward for some tremendous efforts, helped significantly by an excellent team spirit and support.

The U-11 Girls set the tone in the first race of the day over 1 mile with Elena McGorum (6^th), Eilidh Mooney (9^th) and Megan Hobbs (15^th) combining for 3^rd place, only 1 point adrift of 2^nd placed Airdrie Harriers. There was also a much improved run from Sally Davis who galloped home strongly for 19^th of the 54 runners.

U-11 GIrls Eilidh, Sally, Megan and Elena

The U-11 Boys then stormed to a clear 10-point victory over Pitreavie with Corran Carrick-Anderson (2^nd) up front all the way and only just losing out on individual victory in the sprint for the line. Ethan Elder closed in rapidly inside the final 200m to vie for 3^rd going into the final turn only to take a tumble after a clash, but was immediately back on his feet and courageously only just failed to get up for a podium place. Completing the team was first-timer Murray Aiken who, as one of the youngest in the field, had a hugely encouraging run for 8^th of 45.

Double victory followed in the two U-13 races over 2 miles. The girls matched the U-11 boys’ 10-point winning margin over Ayr Seaforth courtesy of Beth Hobbs, Mairi Wallace and Molly Falconer in 5^th, 6^th and 7^th and the U-13 boys secured an even more clear cut victory by 14 points this time over host club Lasswade. Euan Hood led the team home with an individual podium place in 3^rd, backed up by Craig Angus in 6^th and the improving Finlay Collins in 8^th.

U-13 victors Molly, Mairi and Beth

 Zaynah Aziz (6^th), Fiona Grant (7^th) and Ailsa Innes (23^rd) also gained a team podium place in the 2-mile U-15 Girls race before the most exciting finish of the day in the U-17 Boys race over 3.8 miles. Moorfoot, Edinburgh and Pitreavie all finished on 18 points and after an anxious wait, the countback victory came the Moorfoot way courtesy of having the highest placed third runner home. (Note: the results on SAL show us 3^rd but this is being changed.) Kobe Stevens (5^th), Sam McNeil (6^th) and Jack Stanners (7^th) were the counters but there was also a fine run for 11^th from Ben Hindley having his first outing in the red and blue.

Sophie Collins showed a return to form in the U20/U17 Women’s race over 3 miles with a solid 7^th place then the U20 men rounded off an excellent Moorfoot day with first-year junior men Jacob Adkin (5^th), John McLean (9^th) and Lucas Cheskin (18^th) mixing it well with the seniors to finish a close 4^th over the 6-mile course, only 3 points shy of host club Lasswade and demonstrating great promise for the future.