The week started with the exciting news that the Springfield Striders mens team had won the Essex Cup.

The Essex Cup is the trophy for the first Essex team to finish 12 runners in the South of England Cross country Championships.

The trophy is usually won by the big clubs, Woodford Green having been the holders, so it is a great achievement for a "new" club.

The trophy will be presented at the Essex Relays, in Chelmsford next month.

On Sunday, the Striders were out in force at Layer de la Haye, for the penultimate North Essex Cross Country fixture.

Club Captain, Mark Healey (7th) had a fine run to lead in the Striders.

Phil Claydon managed a superb tenth place despite taking a dive at the stream crossing and Vic Spain came straight from work to record 11th position.

Kev Harris was another troubled by the water, but still did well to hold off his brother Paul, as he had just returned from a skiing holiday in Bulgaria. The other scorers were Dave Norman and Lindsay Broadbridge.

Further down the field there were strong runs from Pete Hoxby, John Beaumont, Ken Edwards and John Elliott.

The ladies were again down to a bare minimum of three, but put up a brave fight on yet another hilly and muddy course.

Laura Graham, Denise Reed and Ann Claydon's efforts have kept the club in with a chance of the title.

With Colchester, Harwich and the Striders all so evenly matched, the title will only be settled in the final race in two weeks time at Mistley.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.