Hammal edges rival in cross-country thriller

For the second successive round, glorious weather conditions greeted the island’s cross-country runners on Sunday.

Round two of the Isle of Man League, held at QEII School in Peel and organised by Western AC, produced some excellent and highly competitive racing, particularly among the junior age groups.

The undulating agricultural section of the course was a little rougher underfoot than usual, providing a good test of stamina and fitness for competitors in the under-14 age group and above.

Arguably the race of the day was the combined male and female U16 and U18 contest, held over one lap of the school field and two full laps of the course, covering a distance of 5,000 metres. It was a race packed with quality and close racing.

First-year U16 Rory Teare set a hot early pace, initially leading U16 Seamus Hall and U18 Max Hammal, with U18 Samuel Mercer and U16 Ethan Harrison also firmly in contention.

At the halfway point, Teare still held the lead, but Hammal was beginning to close the gap, while further back Mercer and Harrison were engaged in a good battle of their own.

On the final lap, Hammal made his move, catching and passing his younger rival to take the overall victory, with Teare claiming the U16 boys' win. Both should be very proud of their performances.

Mercer, Harrison, Hall and Orry Nelson Gale also produced strong runs, displaying plenty of quality and determination.

Eve Martin, like Rory Teare a first-year U16, led the female race from start to finish and enjoyed a good battle with several of the male athletes.

Behind her, there was a close contest throughout between U18s Abi Sinclair, Edith Berry and Faith Teare, plus U16s Mollie McMullan and Bella Quaye.

Sinclair produced a strong finish to take the U18 victory, while McMullan produced her best cross-country performance to date, edging clear of Quaye, Berry and Teare on the final lap.

The senior races produced two convincing winners, both of whom were league champions last season. Kirsty Barber was unchallenged in the women's race over three full laps of the course, looking smooth and relaxed even on the rougher sections.

Behind her, Sammy Bowden continues to impress with her cross-country performances, taking second place ahead of Laura Dickinson. Having retired from the previous round with an injury concern, Dickinson looked to be returning to good form.

Mark Burman looked in particularly strong form in his first outing of the season in the men's race, covering a distance of 9,000 metres. Despite establishing a clear lead from the outset, he worked hard throughout to deliver an impressive performance.

Round one winner Paul Atherton had to settle for a solid second place this time, while John Halligan once again took third, continuing to roll back the years.

The short course races were won by Sean Quaye and Rosa Nelson Rohrer.

Leighton Curphey and Emira Bowden were dominant in winning the U14 races, giving themselves a welcome confidence boost ahead of next month's Lancashire Championships.

The main excitement in the boys' race came in the battle for second place, with officials unable to separate Jack Davies and Henry Quaye who dead-heated.

Amelia Smith and Matilda Woakes took second and third places respectively in the girls' race with strong performances.

The youngest age groups competed over one, two and three laps respectively of the school field, with Rowan Parry and Willow Taylor taking the honours in the boys’ and girls’ U8 races.

There was a very good turnout for the U10 contests, which produced some excellent racing. Loxley Cannell took another fine victory, but had to work hard to fend off a determined challenge from Jack Williams. Stanley Quaye ran strongly to take third place.

In the girls' race, Enid Stubbs produced an excellent performance to win convincingly, with Fearne Gosnell second and Anabelle Bailey third.

Jack Davison continues to make very good progress and was the impressive winner of the U12 boys' race. Oliver Halligan improved further on his performance in the previous round with a fine second place, with George Looney in third.

Harper Quayle ran particularly well to win the U12 Girls' race ahead of Lorelei Wilson and Beatrice Crowe.

Many thanks go to the friendly crew at Western AC for organising an excellent event and to the school and landowner for allowing the use of their fields.

- Round three takes place at Crossags Farm in Ramsey on Sunday, November 29, organised by Northern AC.

Online entries remain available through the Isle of Man Athletics website and Facebook page for anyone who has not previously entered. New competitors are always very welcome.