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20 Bolton Independent ISSUE 47Independent LOCAL SPORTHARRIERS PAINT TOWNIN X-COUNTRY RED!Sisters play forrival counties!DECEMBER saw thefourth and final round ofthe Red Rose Cross Countryseries take place inLeverhulme Park andsuitably, a number ofBolton United Harriersrose to the challenge anddrama of their home fixture.Literally first and foremost,2011 champion Tom Carsonwas looking to retain his titleafter coming under pressurefrom Chris Fell last month.His tactics were simple: finishahead of the Rossendaleman. After his customarystarting burst, Carson kepthis nerve over the three lapcourse by allowing Salford’sGary Priestley (36:13), whowas not a contender for theoverall title, to overtake andgradually stretch away for theline. It proved decisive as Carsonhad saved his legs for asurge over the final half lap,edging second position (36:33)from Cambridge’s Alex Youngwith Fell in fourth (36:48).Frazer Jardine (37:17)erased his out-of-sorts turn atHyndburn with a brilliant displayto take fifth position,whilst Marc Tillotson’s seventh(38:08) capped anincredibly quick comebackfrom summer injury to collectthe series’ Bronze. With MarcZeller (12th) impressing againand Tony Valentine making arare x-country appearance(17th), Andrew Cafferky’s battlefor 39th marked him assixth counter for the Team.This was crucial as it gave theSenior Men (60) victory overRossendale (72) in the race,and importantly claim theSeries Team prize (again fromRossendale) by the slenderestof margins (248-250).Tom Carson produced a latesurge to clinch second placePerformances of the dayundoubtedly belonged toChris Povey, Dean Johnsonand Andrew Doyle. After selflesslyrushing to aid anotherinjured runner, they foundthemselves nearly 1km awayas the starting gun was firedfor the Men’s race. Strongmindedcommitment thensaw the trio scamper back tocommence the race with 8minutes already on the clock.Working as a team, theypicked their way through thefield to finish in creditablethird quarter positions,despite having prior highhopes for the top 50. The mainrace itself was delayed by 20minutes and may not havegone ahead but for their assistance,so Dave Hanson’s debutand Eric Ranicar’s M60 2ndwould also have been missed.A poignant note was alsostruck by life member KenCottam who completed therace alongside outgoing clubChairman Scott Whittle. Hewas honouring an agreementto compete with fellow Boltonveteran Brian Mawdsley, whopassed away earlier this year.Disappointingly for JonnyKay, the pre-race favourite forthe u20 title having led theseries contest from the start,shin splints forced him towatch from the sidelines asLeigh’s Liam Moore pippedhim by a single point to inheritCarson’s under 20 title.In the Women’s race,Leigh’s Laura Riches confirmedher class with anotherrace victory (21:51), repeatingTom Carson’s 2011 feat of aJunior and Senior title double.Shannon Johnson’s 23:31for overall sixth position gaveher the Silver medal in theu20 series competition. Shewas joined by Sarah Saxon(26:42), Julie Lomax (30:42)and Heather McEwen (39:39)on the team (8th of 13).Unusually for a home fixture,the junior teams had alow turnout. Joe Gande narrowlymissed a medal in theu13 competition (4th) after his9:26 (6th) in the race, withLuke Entwistle (9:54) close intow. For the girls, GeorgiaGreenhalgh (10:57) led homeLeah Rushworth (11:57),Shannon McClarence (12:37),Ellie Forrest (14:23) andSophie Green (14:29). Excellenteighths in the u15 raceand series were claimed byKatie Oakley (19:06) andMatthew Walker (16:29),whilst Will Grimshaw (21:49),Hywel Scourfield (23:21) andMegan Robinson (33:10)showed improvement for theu17s. The u11s had AliceTonge (8:14 – 13th) leadingthe way, with Molly Philbin(8:36), Amelia Thornley(10:13) and PatrickMcClarence (9:08) appearing.It capped a highly successful2012 in which Boltonbecame Team championsacross in all the main leaguecompetitions of Endurance,Track & Field and now X-Country disciplines. If youwant to be part of the Harriersattempts to defend theirtitles in 2013, or just fancysome exercise in a friendlyatmosphere, the Harriersinvite new members to experiencetheir training nights atLeverhulme Park on Tuesdaysand Thursdays nightsfrom 7pm. If you are after aNew Year’s challenge, theHarriers are also hosting theirannual Bolton 10K on Sunday21st April. Go towww.bolton10k.org for moreinformation.BOLTON School Girls’ Division sisters Ellena and GeorginaOwen have been selected for rival County Netball Squadsin their age groups!Year 12 pupil Ellena will play for Cheshire Under 19 Countysquad whilst Year 9 pupil Georgina will sport the coloursof Greater Manchester when she plays for their Under 15Squad.Netball champions on targetScott Whittle and Ken CottamTHE Bolton School U16 netball team are Bolton Champions after winning this year's Bolton Schools' Netball Tournament.The girls played a total of six matches throughout the tournament, scoring a total of 66 goals whilst conceding only 13.RajEst 1985UPHOLSTERYNO MIDDLEMANBUY DIRECTFROM THEMANUFACTURERSUITES MADE TO YOUR OWN REQUIREMENTSMYRTLE GROVE, BACUP ROAD, RAWTENSTALL01706 831630OPEN 7 DAYSRE-COVER & REPAIR SERVICES AVAILABLE ● www.rajupholstery.co.uk