Manchester League Match 3, Seniors Report

Sophie Tarver and Nigel Martin scored their second wins of the series in challenging weather conditions at Kenworthy Woods.,

Tarver, narrow winner at Sherdley park last month, over Lauren Howarth, was quickly into the head of over three hundred women on the first ‘parade lap’ with Sophie Wood, winner at Wythenshawe in second.

The Wirral athlete powered through the ‘Chorlton Alps’ section and the deep stickly mud on the playing fields to pull clear by around 90 seconds at the tape, with an impressive 25:08 for the approximate 7k distance.

Tarver was accompanied in the top ten by Ellen Kearney (4th) and Naomi Alleyne (5th) as Wirral took their first team win of 2021, ahead of Sale.

Wood, fresh from a 33:34 10k PB, the week before at Wilmslow, continued through the twisty wooded trails, to hold on for a comfortable second place. Whist Ruth Jones, of Salford was untroubled in third place, another 20 seconds in arrears.

Nigel Martin, who was victorious in the first match at Wythenshawe, also took the race to the men’s field, of almost 400, into the cold blustery gales, and established an early lead on the sodden playing fields.

He kept a constant distance of around 100m to keep the attentions of Ed Shepherd of Vale Royal at bay, recording 32:51 over the approximate 10k distance, with John Gilbert (V40) of Chorlton runners another 50m in arrears in third.

Nick Barry backed up fellow Sale Harrier Martin in fourth, as the squad continued to dominate the team standings, after a close tussle with Chorlton.

This exciting series moves onto Tatton Park on January 15th in the new year.

Report Courtesy of Steve Green.