Ulster & NI Senior XC 2010

Both the women"s and men"s teams finished 4th place in the Ulster & NI senior XC champs held on a testing but firm course at the Stormont Estate on Saturday. Despite some unavailable athletes and a few late withdrawals, North Down managed to finish 18 runners across the 2 races.

Roberta Dornan (in 11th) was first home for the club in the womens race (over approx 5.7k)  followed by: Julie Balmer (14th), Stephanie Hambling (21st) - recovery from cold, Ali Robinson (24th) - completeing 4 scorers, Nicola Simpson (25th), Debbie Matchett (33rd), Ange Perrott (35th). The women were realistically in the hunt for a team medal, but were13points a drift of 3rd in the end. 4th was a solid performance, but the team seem determined to gain a podium finish next year. 

The men"s 4th place was partly down to so few clubs being able to finish 6 scorers, but the guys answered to the rally of getting a sizeable squad out - mixing various age and experience. Francis Marsh was first home (over the approx 11.4k course)  in 24th followed by Simon Seaton (30th), James Budde (36th), Mark Weir (42nd), Jordan Stokes (46th), Thomas Simpson (54th), Darren McKee (56th), Stephen Purdie (58th), Simon Robinson (59th), Tony Wall (63rd), Norman Lellyett (67th).