GIAAC/ Jones and Partners Winter League 4.2 mile Cross Country Race
Pembroke
Sunday 17th February 2002

14 year old Mark Mercier produced the performance of the day in Sunday's GIAAC/Jones and Partners Winter League race.

Mercier placed a superb 4th and took the notable scalp of Pete Wickins on the way. "That's the first time I¹ve been beaten by two Merciers in one race" quipped the veteran with reference to his battles with Mark's father Gordon.

Mercier senior was one place ahead of his son in third but Steve Dawes moved one step nearer to claiming overall victory in the 6 race series with a solid second behind Paul Ingrouille.

Ingrouille won the 4.2 mile cross country race in a time of 24 minutes 37 seconds, 30 seconds clear of Dawes who matched the eventual victor over the first half of the race only to drop back on the second of the two laps.

Sara Queripel was leading woman and clocked 28 minutes 26 seconds to finish 45 seconds clear of Debbie Doherty. In the absence of Penny Buckingham Doherty has been the only local woman who has looked like challenging Queripel this season but the county representative was quick to get into her stride and although Doherty stayed in contention over the opening half of the race the distance eventually proved the undoing of the track specialist and, like Dawes, she faded over the latter stages.

Sara's sister Tracey was less fortunate and her hopes of maintaining her place at the head of League Division Three were crushed by illness and she was forced to retire early in the race. Caroline Wickham, third in Division Three, is now the leading woman.

Division 1
1 Stephen Dawes 60
2 Gorden Mercier 57
3 Marcus Prevel 52

Division 2
1 Eddie Higgins 60
2 John Addy 57
3 Phil Guilbert 56

Division 3
1 Ashley Spencer 59
2 Brian Johnson 55
3 Caroline Wickham 54

Division 4
1 Philip Touzeau 60
2 Kevin Le Noury 58
3 Jenny Elliott 55

Division 5
1 Alison Jefferies 60
2 Bob Carre 55
3 Graham Le Poidevin 54