Determined Hunt runners are ‘a credit’ to Shrewsbury in latest English Schools Cup

The impact of unprecedented levels of illness in the school hit the Hunt very hard indeed, with nearly two thirds of the original team members selected for the National Final of the English Schools Cup unavailable. This was sadly enough to prevent us from fielding complete teams for the Intermediate Boys and Senior Girls; our deep reserves at Senior Boy level fortunately allowed us to start the race with a full team of six, with the first 4 to score in the team competition.  

Our Intermediate Boys were first up, with Zac W (RB, IV), Al W (Rb, III) and Leon B (Rt, IV) lining up in the starting pen. On a fast, but technical course, with stretches of flat running interspersed with sharp climbs, steep downhills and tight corners, Zac W set off in bullish manner. It was great to see him storming down the finish straight, picking up positions all the way to the line, to finish a highly creditable 41st (out of 153 finishers). Al W ran a consistent pace a little way back to finish in 122nd, with Leon B crossing the line in 138th. It was fantastic that all three chose to compete when offered the choice earlier that morning (once we knew the team competition was no longer relevant).  

Another runner who had decided to make the trip to Leeds to run individually, with no team available in support, was Ellie L-L (MSH, LVI). Showing grit and determination in spades, Ellie clocked off the laps in typically committed fashion, finishing in 115th position in a frighteningly talented field of Senior Girls.    

Our high hopes for the Senior Boys had been rather dashed by some notable absences, but, undeterred, our only full team (Kristian T (I, UVI), Harry P-M (I, V), Tim S (I, LVI), Dom W (Rb, V), Hamish G (PH, LVI) and Massimo W (PH, LVI)) set off at breakneck speed in the final race of the day. Kristian, in fine form after his convincing victory at the Regional Round, was looking very promising indeed at the front of the race, until his desperately unfortunate forced withdrawal. While Kristian was treated on course, Harry P-M took over as leading RSSH man, ultimately crossing the line in 32nd place. This was a great run, considering Harry has two more years’ eligibility. Another 5th former, Dom W, was next home in 79th, with Tim S close behind in 83rd. Hamish G and Massimo W ran hard to come home in 98th and 123rd, respectively. Shrewsbury came 17th out of the 26 competing schools.  

The resolve and positive attitude of all the runners was enough to relieve much of the disappointment the group had felt in the days leading up to and the morning of the race. The above-named pupils were a credit to the RSSH and the wider school.  

Frank Tickner

Master I/C RSSH