Welsh League Round 7 - Margam Park

Posted 24/11/08

Report: Liz Slater

Pictures by: Alison Wilde

 

A strong wind may have been blowing dark rain clouds and acrid fumes from the direction of the Port Talbot Steelworks but fortunately they gave Margam Park a miss and the Ogmore Valley Wheeler’s ‘Cross in the Park was blessed with some blue skies and sunshine. The venue looked as spectacular as ever but was also just as wet and muddy – yet again it would be no walk in the park for the riders.

Youth start in spectacular Margam Park

 

The Ogmore Valley Wheelers have had a renaissance in ‘cross amongst their members this season and organizer Tim Raine had recruited an impressive number of marshals/helpers all clad in brand new hi-vis jackets.

 

Many may have been expecting Ffion James (Abergavenny RC) to take her now customary position at the front of the U12 field but it was Nathan Llewellyn (Maindy Flyers) who led them through after the first lap with James on his wheel and sheltered from the headwind. Was this tactical? The field was soon strung out as the riders found it hard-going in the sections of rough grass.

 

The penultimate lap saw James move ahead of Llewellyn but she could not shake him off. As they returned over the grass for the final sprint up the road Llewellyn put in one final effort but to no avail. Emily Haycox (Maindy Flyers) never looked happy in the conditions and a dropped chain on the final lap added to her frustration as team-mate Megan Barker pipped her to third place.

 

Abergavenny RC riders took the top four places in the U10s with Nathan Ford, consolidating his lead and again placing well up with the U12s, ahead of newcomer Ieuan Best; and Megan James, notching up another win, ahead of Lowri Thomas.

 

The Youth race provided yet another exciting duel between Sam Anstice (Newport Velo) and William Worrall (Towy Riders). With no-one else able to stay with them the pair matched each other over the long main course, with Anstice in front until the final lap. As they crested the descent to the finish for the final time Worrall made his move and fought to get a gap on Anstice. Both pushed hard on their pedals over the waterlogged grass with Worrall just looking to be the stronger and reaching the hurdles first. The effort of the final sprint to the line told as Worrall fell to the grass – the winner by 5 seconds. U16 Girl Amy Roberts, contesting this local race in amongst National Trophy events and showing how much she has improved, finished in third place only 1 minute down. Owen James was first U14 Boy and Rebecca Hunt first U14 Girl.

More mud

It's quicker to run

 

In second place overall in the U23 category of the National Trophy series and only two points down on leader Scott Thwaites, Anthony O’Boyle (Cwmcarn Paragon) is a man on a mission – and no-one could get near him at Margam.

A man on a mission

 

Only Lee Williams (Abergavenny RC), making a welcome return after illness, and O’Boyle’s team-mate Junior Sam Harrison, swapping the boards for mud, remained unlapped by the end of the race.

Sam Harrison - in the running for Young Sports Personality of the Year

 

Richard Bowen (Gateway RT) and Joe Lally (CC Abergavenny) continued their League rivalry; it was another round to Bowen, with father-in-law Lynn Lines finishing an excellent race in 7th place to take his first ever (?) win in the Veteran category. Nina Davies, from the promoting club and another racing on home soil in between National Trophy events, was first Woman.

Yes it's definitely quicker to run

 

The League remains in the west with a new venue at Pembrey Country Park for Round 8. According to event organizer David Seward from Bynea CC there will be NO MUD!! The venue is off the A484 Llanelli to Carmarthen road and the postcode is SA16 0EJ. Leave M4 at J48 and follow the Llanelli and BROWN Country Park signs; turn LEFT at Pembrey village. Entry to the Country Park is £2 or park outside and cycle in.

 

SENIORS/JUNIORS/VETERANS/WOMEN
1 Anthony O'Boyle Cwmcarn Paragon (S)
2 Lee Williams Abergavenny RC (S)
3 Sam Harrison Cwmcarn Paragon (J)
4 Phil Morris Dambusters (S)
5 Richard Bowen Gateway RT (S)
6 Joe Lally CC Abergavenny (S)
7 Lynn Lines Gateway RT (V50)
8 Andy Pearce Forza Cycles (V)
9 Ross Porter Cwmcarn Paragon (V)
10 Matthew Jones Cwmcarn Paragon (J)
11 Andrew Parry Abergavenny RC (S)
12 Nina Davies Ogmore Valley Wheelers (W)
13 Gareth Chislett Abertillery Wheelers (S)
14 David O'Brien IMBC (S)
15 Mike Barne (V)
16 Chris Davies Ogmore Valley Wheelers (V)
17 Chris Matthews Ogmore Valley Wheelers (V)
18 Shaun Lewis M & D Cycles (S)
19 Donald Gray Cardiff JIF (V)
20 Simon Nurse Cardiff JIF (S)
21 Dai Richards Team Schmoos (V)
22 Alan Gardner Biped Cycles (S)
23 Chris Lewis Port Talbot Wheelers (S)
24 Russ White Forza Cycles (S)
25 Chris Tucker (S)
26 Richard Tucker Ogmore Valley Wheelers (V)
27 Nick Jones M & D Cycles (S)
28 Colin Miller (V)
29 Jeff Lewis (V)
30 Sam Weaver Epic Cycles (J)
31 Mathu O'Hagan M & D Cycles (S)
32 Paul Herbert Rhyl CC (V50)
33 Mark Davies M & D Cycles (S)
34 Rob Jones Ogmore Valley Wheelers (S)
35 Crad Lowe Brecon Wheelers (V)
36 Tony Howell Ogmore Valley Wheelers (V)
37 John Hosking (V)
38 Bryn Ruston (V)
39 Phil Harries Cardiff Ajax (V50)
40 Serena Wood M & D Cycles (W)
41 Tim Jones Bynea CC (V50)
42 Paul Wood M & D Cycles (V)
43 Carol Miller (W)
44 Steve Hodgson M & D Cycles (V)
45 Austin Heath Barclay Classics (V50)
46 Steve Roe Schmoos (V50)
Ian Jeremiah Cardiff JIF (V) DNF
Andy Gowan (S) DNF
Dale Thomas Team Schmoos (J) DNF
Jack Newton Towy Riders (J) DNF
Owain Doull Cardiff Ajax (J) DNF
Craig Standage Cardiff JIF (S) DNF

YOUTH
1 William Worrall Towy Riders
2 Sam Anstice Newport Velo
3 Amy Roberts Lifeforce
4 Gareth Sheppard Abergavenny RC
5 Luke Cornish Towy Riders
6 Owen James Towy Riders
7 Carwyn Davies Towy Riders
8 Adam King Maindy Flyers
9 Liam Lloyd
10 Matthew Thompson
11 Dafydd Davies Ogmore Valley Wheelers
12 Elinor Barker Lifeforce
13 Rebecca Hunt Newport Velo
14 Samuel Leigh-Cattrall Towy Riders
15 Rowan Miller Maindy Flyers
16 Amy Hill Newport Velo
17 Olivia Griffiths Towy Riders
18 Tomas Morgan Forza Cycles

UNDER 12
1 Ffion James Abergavenny RC
2 Nathan Llewellyn Maindy Flyers
3 Megan Barker Maindy Flyers
4 Emily Haycox Maindy Flyers
5 Amy Hinchly Maindy Flyers
6 Harry Lock Maindy Flyers
7 Teifion Best Abergavenny RC
8 Ffion Llewellyn Maindy Flyers

UNDER 10
1 Nathan Ford Abergavenny RC
2 Megan James Abergavenny RC
3 Lowri Thomas Abergavenny RC
4 Ieuan Best Abergavenny RC
5 Elizabeth Bennett Cardiff JIF
6 Josh Hinchly Maindy Flyers
7 Hugh Higgins-Worrall Abergavenny RC
8 Sam Beckett Cardiff JIF
9 Rhys Barter M & D Cycles
10 Rhys Thomas Abergavenny RC
11 Ceri Jones
12 Grace Bennion Maindy Flyers
13 Nia Mitchell

 

Results Rd7:

20081125_WelshLgeResults_Rd7

 

Overall standings after Rd7:

20081125_WelshLeagueOverall

 

Pictures of the day:

 

Youth: