Croydon Harriers’ Surrey League promotion push is on (From Sutton Guardian)

Harriers take four of the top five places in Surrey League second round

2:20pm Thursday 15th November 2012 in Athletics

By Matthew Kiernan

Croydon Harriers gave their 2XU Surrey cross-country league promotion hopes a tremendous boost at the weekend, after winning their second round, Third Division fixture at Roundshaw Downs on Saturday.

Lying second of nine clubs after a tightly fought opening round last month, Croydon’s bid was lifted after Harriers filled four of the top five places in the 202-strong field.

Peter Chambers led the charge over the 4.8mile course finishing second 26 minutes, 26 seconds.

He was closely followed by the returning Mark Plackett (third, 26:32), David White (fourth, 27:09) and Brendan Murphy (fifth, 27:22).

Sussex University student Ben Savill was 18th in 28:57 and tight packing completed the scoring 10 thanks to David Brown (35th, 30:23), Neil Aikman (36th, 30:27), Robbie Powell (37th, 30:29), Ian Wright (42nd, 30:36) and Colin Oxlade (45th, 30:44).

With a score of 186 points, Croydon were well clear of their nearest challengers Dulwich (318) and Full-on-Tri (420), and are now top of the Division leading by 136 points overall.

Non-scoring support came courtesy of a further nine Harriers all of whom were masters athletes.

Alan Burn (65th, 31:45), Andy Del Nevo (68th, 31:51), Julian Dillow (96th, 33:07), Martin Rowe (130th, 34:56), Keith Brown (140th, 35:50), Dave Warren (161st, 37:29), Robert Rye (162nd, 37:31), Norman Hemming (173rd, 38:37) and Eric Campbell (199th, 46:34) completed the Croydon contingent.