After systematic team selection, thirty-six Napier Harriers enthusiastically tackled the elements in the quest for the Green Shield. After 24 hours of rain, the relay course at the Dolbel estate on Springfield Road was altered, eliminating the ditch which had developing into a meandering brook. The challenges remaining included plenty of splash, slosh, slipping and squish. Several teams prospects were impeded by avoidable problems; the loose shoelace, deciding to run with no spikes and most fatally on this day, a lack of scrutineering of the course. Taking full advantage of these misfortunes were the winning combination of Peter Gillies, Brendan Speakman, Kane Green and Aleesha Heywood. This team displayed commitment, and they performed above expectations to become worthy recipients of the Green Shield for 2004.
The nine team relay began with an enthralling battle over two laps. Pacesetter Trevor Fulton couldn't shake off Eric Speakman (15.22) and was no match in the sprint finish. Fulton crossed twenty metres adrift, followed 4 seconds later by Peter Gillies. He was separated by another 4 seconds from Craig Eustace while Mark Lane and Eric Phimister finished within 25 seconds of the leader.
Andre Smith took over from Lane and chipped away at the leading group of Mark Harris, Stu McKie and Brendan Speakman over the 2km lap. Eventually Smith (7.51) gained the advantage along the riverbank headlands, creating an 11 second buffer by the changeover. Speakman was 21 seconds clear of Harris while McKie, Katie Harris and Marilyn Brown all crossed within a minute of the leader.
With Smith handing over to the club's top runner Daniel Wallis, pundits believed the contest was over. Admittedly when Wallis (13.45) run the fastest two lap, seventeen seconds quicker than Stefan Smith, he had established a huge 62 second lead on Kane Green. Likewise Green had established a 50 second gap to a gaggle of six teams, all handing over to their final runners within 22 seconds of each other.
Abbey Green running the final leg, raced off with the huge advantage, knowing her name was 'all but' on the shield donated by her grandfather. Trailing by a minute, Aleesha Heywood took off in honest pursuit. Heywood couldn't believe her luck, when she came across a bewildered Green. In the best tradition of vagaries in sport, Green's navigation skills had deserted her. Alas she couldn't repair the damage and Heywood (9.40) cashed in, to win by 17 seconds. A frustrated Green's only consolation was to hold off Cheryl Simpson by 11 seconds, who lead home another four runners closely following her up the short home straight. Simpson (9.16) and highly promising James Harris shared the fastest time for the final lap. |
