Barley was the setting for the FRA Relays this year. We had 2 teams running but applied for 3 and got our Vet's team knocked back. It was however the first time we have got a full ladies team at the FRA Relays, which is very positive moving forward. The day got off to a great start with the in form Jimmy Craig running a very good leg to bring the men's team home in 6th place after a cracking battle with Craig Shearer of Keighley. Luke Maude and Nick Treitl were next up and again ran really well bringing us back in 8th place. Things went a bit pear shaped on leg 3 with Julian Hood and Shaun Chew taking a couple of poor routes, resulting in the team dropping to 16th. We can't put the nav on any two people, so hopefully, a gang of Barlickers will again get a nav course done for next year. Tom Corrigan ran well on the last leg and managed to consolidate 16th. Overall not to bad a day. A top 10 finish was well on the cards after leg 2 though.
The ladies got underway with Lorraine Slater on leg 1 and she was going very well until a slip, trip and a fall opened up her leg. Through gritted teeth and classic Slater grit, she managed to finish the leg. Leanne Dinsdale and Jen Hird were up next and ran well pulling quite a few places back. Again though, a few nav errors cost the team, with Rachel and Paula struggling to find check point E. Angela Donlan ran a cracking last leg and left everything out on the fell.
Overall another step in the right direction and with a bit more luck that top 10 spot would've been on the cards. Really well organised on the day, so well done to Clayton. Looking forward to next year and hopefully improving on this finish and also doing better at Ian Hodgson. It's been a busy couple of months for the club on the relay front. Taking silver and bronze in the Lancs 4 stage. Qualifying for the national six stage, 12th at Ian Hodgson and now 16th at the FRA relays. A lot to look back on and be proud of. A few tired legs today so well done guys and girls for getting out there and putting the club on the map.
Chewy