And home turf is good for home team too

It was a first for Ealing Eagles when they topped the points table at the third Summer League fixture of the season.

 Home advantage was made to count in the event at Perivale on July 7, as hosts Ealing, Southall and Middlesex’s second place made it a one-two for the Ealing clubs. It meant both clubs leapfrogged Harrow-based Metros in the cumulative table, comprising nine London clubs, with the Eagles in third place – 20 points behind ESM.

There was a strong turnout from the Eagles, who had 53 adults competing over the route of the Perivale 5. It was a course made tougher by the sapping heat of what was a glorious morning for spectators but a gruelling one for participants.

Jose Pabon didn’t let it show, however, clocking 29.14 to finish as first Eagle home in fifth place. He was followed by tom Rowles (10th) in 29.24 and debutant Javed Hussain (24th) in 31.22.

First Eagle lady was Yvonne Linney, who was 12th woman home in 37.24, while Nanda Griffioen kept up her challenge for another age-group top-three spot by clocking 39.17 to finish 18th. Competitors are awarded bonus points based on their age group.

The club once again performed well in the relays, taking home the most points from this fixture. However, the men’s “A” team were unable to hold off the challenge of the home club’s impressive under-23 squad.

The team’s youngsters – mostly children of the competitors – did their bit to add to the Eagles’ tally. The performances of Frankie Snell, Ken Houghton, Tom and Pascale Kerley, Dominic Quinn, Finn Elliott, Emily Page and Jessica and Josephine John meant the Eagles topped the “tenderfoot” score for the first time.

Team captain Lisa Emerson said: “We always knew we’d get a good turnout for a race this close to home but to score so well and top the fixture’s points table was fantastic.

“It was really tough going on such a hot day but several of our runners performed better than they might have expected. It really feels like we’re making progress.”

Emerson added: “We’re grateful to our neighbours ESM for putting on such a great event on what was a very hot day.”

The teams will contest the next fixture, over 10km at Regent’s Park, on Sunday.

17th June 2013