Cardiff & the Vale Schools’ cross-country championships (boys)

Sadly, on a day when Cardiff schools provided three of the four individual winners and Llanishen claimed all three team titles, there was little joy for the Vale contingent beyond providing over 100 of the 276 finishers.

In the opening race, for the u15 age group, year 8 Ben Owen was the only Vale athlete in the top ten while Bro Morgannwg, in eighth place, led the Vale teams home.

Cowbridge pupils figured prominently in the year 7 races at the opening fixtures of the autumn term but, with Tom Lucas being delayed and missing the school transport and Ellis Rosser injured and unable to compete, only Kristian Jones figured in the top ten at this event. Slightly further down the field of 97, there were encouraging runs from Richard Dangerfield (Llantwit, 10th), Richards Stephens (St Cyres, 12th) and Dylan Connelly (Bro Morgannwg, 14th). By a narrow margin, Bro Morgannwg again headed the Vale schools, but could only place fifth.

On a grey, overcast day, the bitingly cold breeze, which had been so noticeable for the first two races, died so that the seniors in year 10 and above enjoyed the best conditions of the afternoon. The first three places in this race, which includes two individual competitions – one for the u17 boys in years 10 & 11, and the other for the seniors, were filled by pupils from Cardiff schools, but at least the Vale gained two awards. Fourth placed Owen Haswell (Stanwell), making a second encouraging run after a long absence through injury, claimed the senior title with a another Vale year 12, Darren Jones (Llantwit), in second. There was also a team success of sorts. Bro Morgannwg had fielded more than 30 boys on the day, the fourth biggest contingent behind the 48 from Cardiff High, and gained some reward with a third placed finish.

The individual and team awards will be made at the annual Cross-Country Presentation Evening, which is due to be held at Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg on Tuesday, May 11.

Following this fixture, Cardiff & the Vale Schools’ district will choose teams of 12, plus six non travelling reserves, to compete at year 7, u15 (years 8 & 9), u17 (years 10 & 11) and u20 (sixth form) at the Aviva 48th Welsh Schools’ National cross-country championships at Brecon on Saturday, February 27.

The equivalent Cardiff & the Vale Schools’ cross-country championships for girls are due to be held at Trelai on Tuesday, February 9.

Results of Vale boys

Senior (U20 & U17) Boys – 5.1 km

Individuals – 69 finishers (27)

4 Owen Haswell ((Stan, u20) 18:37; 5 Rory Heslop (Bro M) 18:48; 6 Matthew Edwards (Barry) 18:52; 7 Darren Jones (Lwt, u20) 18:58; 15 Dominic Farr (Bro M, u20) 20:06; 16 Rhys George (Bro M) 20:09; 17 Daniel Lewis (St Cy) 20:16; 18 Alex Simon (Lwt) 20:17; 21 Oliver Crosby (Lwt) 20:36; 22 Dan Owen (Lwt) 20:40; 25 Joseff Whitmarsh-Knight (Bro M, u20) 20:52; 26 Morgan Preece (Bro M) 21:00; 27 Dan Ruffle (Lwt) 21:12; 29 Einan Scott (Bro M) 21:21; 30 Huw Evans (Stan) 21:22; 31 Abdel Boulaiche (St Cy) 21:25; 34 William Elliot (Cow, u20) 21:32; 44 Dafydd James-Isaacs (Lwt) 22:32; 51 Tiernan Scott (Bro M); 52 Michael Coles (Bro M); 54 Joshua Thomas (Cow); 55 Jon Esquirol (Cow); 56 Elliot Mears (Cow); 58 Kyle Garrison (Barry Coll, u20); 60 James Warne (Lwt); 61 Dillon Morgan (Cow); 63 Ioan Williams (Bro M)

Teams: 3 Bro Morgannwg 61; 4 Llantwit Major 68; 8 Bro Morgannwg B 158; 11 Cowbridge 199

Years 8 & 9 (U15) Boys – 4.1 km

Individuals – 110 finishers (41)

5 Ben Owen (Lwt) 16:27; 12 Sam Peterken (St Cy) 17:00; 14 Matthew Collins (Barry) 17:14; 16 Elliot Richards (Stan) 17:20; 17 Dafydd George (Bro M) 17:22; 23 Jake Bosza (W’bourne) 17:51; 26 Jacob Briscombe (Bro M) 18:00; 30 Tom Griffiths (Bro M) 18:09; 34 George Zygmonu (Stan) 18:30; 38 Lloyd Creed (Barry) 18:41; 39 Sam Laity (W’bourne) 18:41; 44 Curtis Williams (Barry) 18:54; 47 Ieuan Jones (Stan) 19:04; 48 Arran Bright (Lwt) 19:10; 49 Gareth Hurman (Barry) 19:11; 50 Callum Goddard (Barry) 19:15; 54 Curtis Hayes (Barry); 59 Tom Owen (Cow); 61 Junior Scott (St Cy); 65 Gareth Pilcher (Bro M); 66 Tomos Havard (St Cy); 68 Jacob Stokes-Mellor (Lwt); 76 Lewis Thomas (Bro M); 81 Morgan Williams (Bro M); 84 Keiran Thomas (Barry); 85 Joe Brown (W’bourne); 86 Arthur Blick (Cow); 93 James Loach (St Cy); 94 Taylor Harris (Bro M); 96 Rumtin Danelhuar (St Cy); 98 Robert Tucker (St Richard Gwyn); 100 Gareth Bolter (Lwt); 103 Jacob Frost (Stan); 104 Joseph Richards (Bro M); 105 Miles Jenkins (Cow); 106 Corrie Rowlands (Bro M); 107 Andy Young (Cow); 108 Jack McCaver (Cow); 109 Alex Vowles (St Cy); 110 Jordan Roe (St Richard Gwyn); dnf Tim Goodwin (Cow); dnf Alex Guard (Cow); dnf Joe Russell (Cow)

Teams: 8 Bro Morgannwg 138; 9 Barry Comprehensive 145; 11 Stanwell 200; 13 Llantwit Major 221; 14 St Cyres 232; 19 Bro Morgannwg B 355; 20 Cowbridge 357

Year 7 (U13) Boys – 3 km

Individuals – 97 finishers (35)

6 Kristian Jones (Cow) 12:50; 10 Richard Dangerfield (Lwt) 12:57; 12 Richard Stephens (St Cy) 13:00; 14 Dylan Connelly (Bro M) 13:04; 15 Elliot Devred-Morris (Barry) 13:05; 18 David Constantino (Stan) 13:18; 20 Scott McMillan (Lwt) 13:19; 21 Reuben Bryl (Bro M) 13:22; 30 Toby Walker (Cow) 13:41; 33 Huw Bennett (Cow) 13:52; 34 Callum Drew (Lwt) 13:55; 35 Scott Dutfield (Stan) 13:56; 40 Andrew Greenslade (St Richard Gwyn); 48 Luke Swain (Bro M); 49 Rhys Evans (Bro M); 57 William Brown (Stan); 58 Lloyd James (St Richard Gwyn); 60 Ben Jones (Cow); 63 Will Eddy (Barry); 64 Calum Stisted (Stan); 67 Morgan Finlay (Bro M); 68 AJ Harry (Barry); 70 Steffan Godwin (Lwt); 75 Lewis Adams (St Cy); 76 Nicholas Rees (Cow); 77 Tom Edwards (Bro M); 78 Rhys Hunter (Bro M); 83 Jack Holloway (St Cy); 85 Rhydian Hopkins (Bro M); 86 Rhodri Miller (Bro M); 89 Mabon Evans (Bro M); 90 Ethan Darter (Lwt); 91 Billy Williams (St Richard Gwyn); 95 Iestyn Jones (Lwt); 96 Tyler Morse (St Cy)

Teams: 5 Bro Morgannwg 118; 6 Cowbridge 123; 7 Llantwit Major 124; 12 Stanwell 186; 15 Bro Morgannwg B 240; 16 St Cyres 254