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Anna’s Journey – from C25k to a marathon

By Anna Warrington

I started couch to 5k thinking I would give it a go and if I don’t like it I just won’t bother going again. I’d not run since school so knew it wouldn’t be easy. From day 1 I enjoyed it, the support from others doing it and the leaders involved is great.

The weeks fly by and we were soon at the graduation park run being supported by so many members from the pumas.


The running bug is catchy- so much so I went from C25K to 10k to half marathon and recently finished the Yorkshire marathon.

I’ve made many friends and love being a member of the club. If in doubt give it a go, you might surprise yourself and actually enjoy it!

This picture is me completing the marathon with a great friend I met on C25K.

From Couch to 10 miles!

By Jayne Scanlon

I’ve never been very good at exercise stuff. As a kid I was the academic one, the swot, the one picked to be prefect, but NEVER picked in P. E. I was always that one left that folk groaned at when they knew I was on their team. I was the one who never got picked for the good stuff on sports day, but got stuck with the 1500 metres because no-one else wanted it….. And I never finished it, I once even passed out on the third lap of the field!
Into adulthood I started suffering with chronic back pain and any form of exercise caused me discomfort and pain, so I stopped exercising, completely, and became even more incapable of more than a very short walk.

In 2016 I started working in Brighouse and I used to see groups of people running when I was coming home from work. I once saw one group, really spread out with a couple of ladies quite a way behind everyone else. I made enquiries and found it to be members of Northowram Pumas. I contacted them and spoke to a lovely guy called Ian who really tried to encourage me to his beginners class but I chickened out, I decided, when he told me they typically ran 3 miles, it was not for me…. After all, I could barely run a bath!!
I did however, like their Facebook page and, in 2018, when I saw their Couch25k program advertised I knew it was time. I bullied my son Josh to sign up with me and we both got in. Oh…. My…. God, I’ve done it now I thought.

I turned up that first session thinking there would be loads like me, complete beginners, all struggling to run and breathe at the same time. We were asked to run around the field to check our ability. To my horror, I was already half a field behind everyone else by the first lap and needing oxygen and a defib! I was mortified. So much so, I cried… I was so embarrassed, those old school feelings coming back.

Lucky for me, the leader didn’t give up on me, and told me it would get better, making me promise I would come back the next session…. And I did.
I worked hard during that program, running when they asked, walking when told and got my reputation of being stubborn and determined. I was the slowest in group, REALLY slow, but I never gave in, and on the 24th November, I did my graduation Park Run. I was disappointed, I was slow and I had to walk, I was so upset how far at the back I was, I never enjoyed the achievement and the love of the club who’d all turned out to support us.
Since then, I’ve had injuries, illnesses, bad periods of doubt but, belonging to a club has, for the first time in forever, somehow motivated me never to quit. I plodded on, doing my thing, sometimes improving, sometimes slipping backwards but never giving in.

One day, after talking with my husband who was doing the York Marathon, I decided to jump in with both slow feet and sign up for my first race, a 10 miler!!! Not a 5k, not a 10k but straight in. Stupid? Hell yes, achievable? Who knew…? But I wanted to do something amazing with him on that day.
I signed, with only 7 weeks to go!! and a holiday in between. Madness!!! But it was done, no turning back now. I only told a select group of people, mainly as I didn’t want any pressure, but also just in case I failed, that old embarrassed feeling coming back.

I trained, kind of, doing club runs and did two long runs with my husband .. A 5.4 and a 7.6 mile and pretty much accepted I’d finish it, but I’d have to walk.. A lot! But, after two of my closest club friends offered to run with me, there was no turning back, I was not going to fail or quit.
The day arrived, I got ready, I’d prepared the week before, eating properly, carbing up, feeling like a proper athlete 😂😂, and off we went.
I waved my husband off on his marathon and I waited for my event with my support besties. I was nervous, I felt sick, I was dreading the unknown… 10 miles!!! What was I doing?? The klaxon went and we were off.
I emptied my mind; I visualised a medal and I settled into my pace. I let folk pass me, I didn’t care, this was about me, not them and I ran! I just set myself mini goals, each mile to get to, and relaxed. It was tough in places, I hate inclines and there were some sneaky ones, but having two teamies with me made me dig in, I wanted to make them proud, I wanted to make my husband proud and most of all, I wanted to be proud.

I finished that race, 25 minutes faster than I had set myself and I ran the bloody lot, I never once stopped and I never once walked and I wasn’t last!! I’m always last, but not that day, I even passed people, that had never been known! I had only ever run 2 miles without stopping before so I had no idea where it came from but I pulled an amazing achievement out of the bag and I earned my medal!

I achieved the impossible for me, how? Well, support from others, running is lonely alone. Belief, if you don’t believe in yourself, others won’t believe in you either. Determination, the mind can force the body to react when you dig in. Realism, make your journey about you and your goals, don’t be pushed by others, set yourself achievable goals and you’ll get there. Finally, LOVE!! Love yourself for when you do your best and you’ll achieve your impossible.

My name is Jayne and I AM a runner!

 

Keswick Mountain Festival

Keswick Mountain Festival 2019

This is Big Brother.

Welcome to the Lake District, your home for the next 3 days. We believe it’s the perfect setting for a weekend of Running. For those of you into Cycling and Swimming, that’s available too. Big Brother has organised an evening of entertainment at the festival, stunning scenery in an unrivalled setting and a host of great house mates. Big Brother hopes you enjoy your stay.

 

What follows are the the Diary Room accounts of the weekends adventures by the people that lived them.

 

 

 

Diary Entry 1 – Andy Barnes

 

“Yo Big Brother. I was supposed to be doing the Sprint Triathlon first thing on Saturday morning. Except, this became a Sprint Cycle Sprint. There was to be no swimming as they found some sort of Green/Blue Algae in the Lake! I’m very disappointed. I’ve let the ladies down as they didn’t get to see me in my swimming attire!”

 

Big Brother didn’t get to see Andy on his bike either, with an irreparable puncture to his rear tyre meaning a transfer to the 25k. Andy finished in 133rd with a time of 2:46:53.

 

 

 

Diary Entry 2 – Rebecca Stanley

 

“Hi Big Brother. Just to let you know, I forgot the Desserts for dinner. I had one job! I’m not sure the house mates were that impressed. I did Keswick Parkrun on Saturday morning with Andy and then climbed up a mountain on Sunday afternoon with Claire and Andrew. Oh and the festival was brilliant. Glitter was a bit expensive though!”

 

Big Brother hasn’t forgotten about the desserts Rebecca.

 

 

 

 

 

Diary Entry 3 – Jude Roberts

 

“Good morning Big Brother. I did the 25k on Saturday. Myself and Andy actually ran the whole way together. I may have left him at the end though. First Puma home and all that! On Sunday we both ran up a Mountain. It was a bit chilly at the top. By the way, do you know what ABBA and Jeep stand for?”

 

Big Brother hasn’t forgotten any of Jude’s Acronyms. These are now the thing of legend amongst this year’s house mates. He finished his 25k in 125th position with a time of 2:45:43.

 

Diary Entry 4 – Andrew Mellor

 

“Hello Big Brother. The 25k was the hardest thing I’ve ever done! We set off, all smiles and were even at the front on the start line. The Captain would be proud! Two words to describe the route? Incredibly Tough! We all had to concentrate on our footing, watching those ankles and some of those descents were treacherous. Awesome oranges at the last checkpoint saved me. Loved every minute of the weekend!”

 

Big Brother has not forgotten Andrew’s fan boy moment meeting a YouTube star. He finished his 25k in 238th position with a time of 3:03:58.

 

 

Diary Entry 5 – Claire Ramsbottom

 

“Hi Big Brother! I did the 25k and feel like a proper runner now! No denying it was super challenging. I ran most of it and even made friends along the way which kept me going near the end. I saved our house mates on Saturday night by jumping into the road for a taxi to take us back to the house. Such a fab weekend. My face hurts from laughing!”

 

Big Brother hasn’t forgotten the amount of glitter in the Dining room. Claire finished her 25k in 360th position with a time of 3:27:18.

 

 

 

Diary Entry 6 – Peter Reason

 

“Hello Big Brother. The 25k was definitely hard on the legs. It was some of the most scenic yet challenging running I’ve ever done. It was a really tough race but I do fancy some cycling next time so may try a Sportive. Hats off to everyone who prepared the curry for Friday and pasta for Saturday.”

 

Big Brother is not sure if Peter got out of his hiding place behind the bedroom door. He finished his 25k in 422nd position with a time of 3:45:25.

 

 

 

Diary Entry 7 – Sharon Reason

 

“Hi there Big Brother. I ran the 10k on Sunday morning with Rob. We had a little boat trip across the lake to reach our starting point. It was a lovely route but at less than a mile in, Rob took a dive down the banking towards the lake. He’s just clumsy! Not sure how he expected me to pull him back up onto the path? I was actually tempted to leave him until two guys helped out. But we finished together and I’ve had a brilliant weekend.”

 

Big Brother would like to thank Sharon for driving people around Keswick all weekend. Sharon finished her 10k in 441st position with a time of 1:43:17.

 

 

 

Diary Entry 8 – Rob Bowman

 

“Aye up Big Brother. I’ve had a smashing weekend. I ran my first ever official 10k with Sharon. I suspect she tripped me up. In truth, I may have just fallen over a tree stump. But there was blood everywhere and grit in my arm. Thank you to the marshals for putting a plaster on my finger! Loved every minute and the support from the house mates was fantastic. Team Puma! Best thing I’ve been a part of in ages!”

 

Big Brother has looked into Robs tumble and found no foul play. He finished his first ever official 10k in 440th position with a time of 1:43:16.

 

 

 

Diary Entry 9 – Julie Bowman

 

“Hi Big Brother. It’s hard going to a festival and behaving yourself the night before an Ultra Marathon. I got up around 04:30 as our race was setting off at 06:00. Good job the other house mates were quiet when they stumbled in. They had been warned! The actual race was brutal. I fell at least once. 50k on that type of terrain is hard. Can’t believe Rob forgot my Fanta for the finish. Livid! Someone pass me the Epsom Salts!”

 

 

 

Big Brother is still afraid of being late for dinner after Julie shouted to the girls upstairs. Julie finished her 50k in 66th position with a time of 6:42:10, the 2nd female in her age group.

 

 

Diary Entry 10 – Tim Book

 

“Hello Big Brother. Is the WiFi working in here? Anyway, I did my 100th Parkrun on Saturday morning over at Whinlatter Forest, cycling over with Jane. Like Julie, I was on my best behaviour on Saturday ahead of the 50k. I even proper studied the route. It really was a difficult and tiring race, I had nothing left in the tank at the end. Fantastic weekend though!”

 

Big Brother would like to thank Tim for bringing entertaining music to the house. Tim finished his 50k in 21st position with a time of 5:47:41.

 

 

Diary Entry 11 – Jane Cole

 

“Alright Big Brother. Can I just say I’ve had a brilliant weekend. Disappointed not to be running but I’ve enjoyed 15 miles on the bike. We bought too many Pizza’s for Sunday but I’m blaming Claire for that. And where was dessert? Also, how good was Hide and Seek! Proper took my mind off Bob. Thanks to all the house mates for the funniest weekend ever. My cheeks and belly hurt from giggling all weekend!”

 

Big Brother recognises Jane for suggesting the house mates play Hide and Seek. Well done Jane.

 

 

 

Disclaimer: The diary records above may or may not bear any relation whatsoever to the events and individual views of the house mates over the Keswick Mountain Festival weekend. Rumours that Jude was evicted first for repeating stories and jokes are unsubstantiated.

Burnsall Half Marathon

By Andrew Mellor

I’d never tried running a trail half marathon before. So for my first, what could be better than to try than one with spectacular views in the Yorkshire Dales? If you threw in a few hills and a bottle of beer at the end, I’d be completely sold. If this, like me, sounds like your thing, continue reading and let me tell you about this year’s Burnsall Half Marathon.

It’s the first race of the 2019 Due North Race Series, set in the stunning riverside location of Burnsall. It takes in several sections of the Dales Way footpath and provides some of the most beautiful scenery the Yorkshire Dales has to offer. It’s also quite hilly.

Six hardy Pumas arrived early ahead of the 10 am start to collect numbers and prepare for the challenging race ahead. The previous year’s event had seen some soaring temperatures, but this year was different. It was cold. Layering decisions became an issue immediately whilst waiting for the start but after a brief warm up around the field, we gathered with 208 other runners and were underway.

The start eased us in gently, looping around the field and then onto the path by the river. And then the first climb up Kail Hill. The route then continued uphill for what felt like forever until we reached the first welcome downhill near Trollers Gill at mile 3 (avoiding any confrontation with the fabled Barghest). Descending for the next few miles, through Skyreholme down to the river and then up into Appletreewick.

At mile 7 we were going vertical once more, providing a welcome opportunity to take on fluids and shed layers before climbing up towards Dibbles Bridge across some open, tough moorland and then up back up Langerton Hill. After some frankly ridiculous, un-runnable last climbs, we headed down towards Hebden, following the river and across the picturesque Burnsall Bridge to the finish.

The winner of the race finished in 1:27:20 and promptly claimed his prize and ran home to continue tending to his flock of sheep. Jude Roberts led the Pumas home in 15th position in an impressive 1:48:31. A sprint finish decided the 2nd and 3rd Pumas where I somehow crossed the line in 63rd with a time of 2:06:45, a single second ahead of Matt Newton in 64th with a time of 2:06:46 knocking 14 minutes off his 2018 time.

Kirsty Edwards finished in 73rd improving on last year with a time of 2:08:46 and was then delighted to be reunited with the gloves she’d reluctantly abandoned mid-way. And bringing us all home were Tiffany Lewis and Mark Kirkby, nipping under the 3 hour mark in 2:59:41 and 2:59:40 respectively.

Plenty of post-race refreshments were on offer, including some of the best yogurts you never really thought you needed and some cold pasta which was best avoided.

To sum up, it’s a tough (over 1650ft of Climbing!) but rewarding race in a stunning location. Really well organised and definitely something a little different. I’d wholeheartedly recommend you add this one to your calendars for next year.

Sowerby Bridge Flat Caps 10K

By Dawn Higgins

On a weekend where the Northowram Pumas were represented at many events throughout the North, this Puma chose to stay close to home and run the Sowerby Bridge Flat Caps 10k Race. Now in its second year, this race was described as ‘a charity 10k for any ability’, an ‘undulating 10k road race, chip timed, measured and fully marshalled course’ with all participants receiving a bespoke medal. With a 10.30start, the promise of a medal and some stunning views, I was in!

With hindsight, I don’t really think that this was as full and frank description of the route as I (and many fellow runners) would have liked. I’d driven a recce of the route and let’s just say that ‘undulating’ really doesn’t give this race justice. With over 1000 feet of climbing, all in the first half, it’s a bit like the Overgate route, but even more harsh!

Starting off from Snails HQ (Sowerby Bridge Cricket Club on Walton Street), it was a well organised and civilised start to proceedings. A quick lap around the field before we ascended up the paths through Dixie Woods, a right turn at the top started the further ascent up Sowerby New Road. After a mile of solid climbing, at the Church Stile Inn we turned right down Pinfold Lane to  enjoy some spectacular scenery, looking out towards Hebden and beyond. Heading out to Boulderclough, we turned up Shield Hall Lane, for an absolute ‘pig’ (insert swear word as you see fit) of a climb. You’d think that was it….but no. More climbing up Steep Lane, which, as names go is a fairly accurate description! To say it was hideous is an understatement; Think Howes Lane, but steeper. And longer. Ooh, throw in a head wind and you’re somewhere near!

Anyway…low point/high point? Who cares at this stage? Left onto Mirey Lane (more superb views), through Hubberton Green, right up Red Brink Lane and once at the top…..it’s all downhill! Views across to Norland, Huddersfield beyond and even Saddleworth! Down Toothill Lane,Thunderton Lane, left onto Plain Lane, down Upper Field House Lane, and back into Sowerby. Sometimes it has a bit ‘too’ downhill for us potential Fallers, but that just allows for Phoebe running. Past the school, round the corner and a sneaky last uphill section before crossing back over Sowerby New Road and back down through Dixie woods to where we started and the finish line! Phew!

My evaluation? This is not a 10k PB course. This is a harsh slog of steep, unrelenting uphill, with beautiful and stunning views to (hopefully) distract from what you’re doing! It was a well organised, well marshalled race with lots of support throughout and a lovely medal. All proceeds went to the Christie in Manchester. For many reasons, and not just because this year I was only there for the views, I will be back.

#FPH Dawn Higgins 58.19 (also #LPH and #OPH so there you go!)

Photo credits Jonathan Moon, Yorkshire Runner Photos and Sowerby Bridge Snails Flat Caps
Facebook event page.

Yorkshire Veterans Grand Prix at Middleton

By Andy Flynn

This morning we climbed aboard the fun bus for fun and frivolity at the opening race of the YVAA Grand Prix Series at Middleton Park, Leeds. There were a full array of ages on display from the ever youthful Tim Brook to a gent who was running in the 80+ category.

A 5.3 mile (8.5km) course awaited us and luckily for roadies like me it had dried out nicely for this race. We set off for a lap of the field then roughly two laps off the woods with a couple of decent hills involved. #FPH in a very respectable 10th place was Tim Brook followed by the evergreen Andy Haslam in 34th.

89th place was Thomas O’Reilly followed by Andrew Mellor in 104th. I saw Andrews shirt for the whole race but just couldn’t get any closer. Andy Flynn(me) came in 110th for his first victory over club legend Neil Coupe who came 122nd. Mark Kirkby then followed closely in 134th.

On the ladies side a great run by Jo Louise to finish 56th and a gritty determined run from Tiffany Emma Lewis in 68th who wasn’t feeling her best today.

Full results at website www.yvaa.org/grand-prix/

Next event is at Honley on Sunday 14th April hosted by Holmfirth Harriers. For those who’ve raced today keep your numbers and take a fiver with you to race. Those who haven’t, make sure you register at least the day before then do the same to collect your number. I’ll be away but no doubt there’ll be a fun bus thread in the days leading up it.

 

 

Liversedge Half Marathon

By Dawn Higgins

 

 

Sunday 17 February marked the final race of the Northowram Pumas 2018-19 Championship Series. Whilst some had opted to run the Great North West Half Marathon in Blackpool, a dozen or so ‘point chasing’ Pumas gathered in Robertstown for the Liversedge Half Marathon (at a very civilised 11 am race start)!


The course at Liversedge was described by some Pumas (who had done a recce some weeks earlier) as a toughie, with lots of up and some down and which the race organisers Robertstown Road Runners described as a route “mainly through rural areas which is testing in places”. Previous years’ events had seen snow, hail and freezing temperatures, however, the weather was forecast to be kind, with a dry and sunny day and perhaps just some wind to contend with.

After gathering for the obligatory team photo at Race HQ (minus Shaun who has already set off for the start line) we were off. Starting at Commonside, where the road was closed to traffic, the 468 runners embarked on the initial downhill stretch, lasting about a mile. The course then steadied out a bit, up through Liversedge, passing newly muck-spreaded fields to get to above the motorway. Passing the Old Pack/New Pack pubs, we settled in at four miles for the descent into Bailiff Bridge and the slog on Bradford Road. Crossing the Ford, it was the beast of a hill up to Clifton that showed who hill trains around here!

A steady plod up the hill (no stopping) and we picked up a small section of Leg Six of the Calderdale Way Relay at Clifton before a water (and jelly babies) stop around mile eight. Thus followed the ‘mad mile’, a steady incline up past Willow Valley Golf Club to head back past the poo fields! Returning towards Robertstown, you can see all the runners in front, aware that there are still two miles with a last push uphill! A final push and a left turn back on Commonside, the finish is in sight (albeit, farther away than you’d like) but then comes the Rock Star Moment!

Commentary over the PA system, with your name and club announced like you’ve won the blummin’ thing! Awesome! (Even if your race number did say you were Simon ‘he’s had major surgery you know’ Wilkinson!, they got it right!) What can I add? Yes, it’s hilly, but that’s the challenge! It’s almost scenic in parts! It stayed dry and bright! It was windy! It was well marshalled by friendly folk, giving up their time and their jelly babies! Lots of clubs are represented from all over! It’s a great race! (And that’s from me, who doesn’t even like running!)

 

Some fantastic results from the day;

Leading the Pumas Charge, Tim Brook in a brilliant 1.25.51 and 17th overall!
Jude Roberts in 1.32.47 and being modest on Strava
Andy Sales showing off his marathon training at 1.38.52
Matt Newton being lazy in 1.42.04
Shaun Casey coming back on form in 1.44.22
Diane ‘Machine’ Cooper leading the ladies in 1.45.03
Kirsty Edwards in a not too shabby 1.47.34
Andrew Mellor knocking a sensational 18 minutes off his previous HM PB in 1.47.34
Andy Flynn in only his second HM with a PB of 1.55.18
Dawn Higgins (me) getting round in 2.03.44
And Helen Charles with a fantastic race at 2.17.34


So that’s the 2018-19 Championship Done…. new format for 2019-20 with it all to play (run) for!
Go Pumas!

 

Giant’s Tooth 2018

Giant’s Tooth,

Ogden Water, Monday 1 January, 2018.

Footballers often use that old adage about taking each game as it comes. Runners could almost say the same, especially when events come thick and fast like they do over the festive period. Why, the three amigos Brook, Canning and Cranfield (sounds like a shoe shop chain) had only just finished the Auld Lang Syne on New Year’s Eve when they were planning their next run – the very next day. Actually, the Giant’s Tooth seems to be a nice way to start any new year, a non-too taxing jaunt around the moors and Ogden water, and with a handy noon start, what’s not to like?

Our three dedicated runners were joined here by several other Pumas, with husband and wife team Rick and Anna Ralph, Robert Shirlaw, who loves this kind of event, and Gina Farley, who was representing her parent club Bradford Airedale, all managing to recover from ‘the night before’ to make it to the start line.

The start of the race is on the pathway running parallel to the water, a little distance from the main car parks, and the route winds through the woods then ascends the moors, reaching the Giant’s Tooth monument (hence the name of the race) at 1,257 feet, then continues higher to the summit at 1,291 feet before dropping back down through the woods to join the reservoir. Following the path anti-clockwise around the water, the route then veers off right back up through the woods to retrace the path downhill back to the finish. A distance of roughly three miles.

It was Tim Brook, 23rd, who once again found himself #FPH, whilst second Puma home was Rick Ralph (almost a full five minutes quicker than his time of 2017), with Robert Shirlaw the third Puma back. Luke kept Ally company and helped her shave off 1 minute and forty seconds from her time from the previous year. Anna Ralph was the last of the Puma contingent home, but her time of 33:07 was a marked improvement on her 34:56 of last year.

Pumas’ positions and times;

23 Tim Brook 20:57

27 Rick Ralph 21:12

56 Robert Shirlaw 23:25

84 Ally Canning 25:35 (27:15)

85 Luke Cranfield 25:37

131 Gina Farley 31:12

140 Anna Ralph 33:07

153 finishers.

Yorkshire Lass Charity Sportive 2017.

YORKSHIRE LASS CYCLE CLUB CHARITY SPORTIVE,

Carlton Lodge Outdoor Centre, Thirsk, Sunday 20 August, 2017.

Being a member of Northowram Pumas is not all about running. There are one or two off-shoots, not least the many socials evenings most of them enjoy. Some of the tales from these are legendary and I’ve heard next time out Carine Baker is going for a personal best. Thursday evenings has seen a relatively small bunch take to cycling. Anyone can join, though for this you’ll need a bicycle, a helmet and the willingness to put in some serious mileage, often involving steady and arduous climbs over the moors. These guys are proper hardcore. Oh, and some lyrca wouldn’t go amiss, though here word has it that organiser Neil Coupe has a drawer full in different colours and sizes. He likes to cycle in pink in homage to his hero that is the Mushy Cade Running Machine.

Carolyn Brearley, Jo Allen and Melissa Hall all set and ready to roll.

So whilst the Fleetwood Half Marathon was being run, four other Pumas were taking part in the second Yorkshire Lass Cycling Club Charity Sportive which set off from Carlton Lodge Outdoor Centre, Thirsk. Carolyn Brearley, Jo Allen and Melissa Hall elected to undertake the 60-mile route, whilst Sarah Firth decided to take the slightly less challenging 30-mile event. All four were up at the crack of dawn to be ready in time for the start.

The 60-miler was entitled a “Rite gud ride” for those ladies “who are ready to go that bit further with a couple of hills thrown in,” and takes the same route as the 30-mile and 100-mile routes before splitting at Knayton. En route, the riders take in several villages with quaint sounding names such as Kirby Wiske, Ainderby Steeple, Yafforth, Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe and Felixkirk, and there are individually-timed climbs named Sandy Bank Climb, Kirby Knowle, Coxwold Grind Out and Knayton ‘Upsall Climb. Sarah’s 30-mile route was temptingly called “Cup o tea and a piece of cake”, and was promised “flattish on mainly quiet roads,” with “a few undulations”.

Answers on a postcard…

Our Fab Four duly completed their respective rides, though it has to be said, not without incident. Jo suffered two punctures and necessitated a tyre change (to her bike, of course) and in need of assistance, was forced to strike that rather helpless pose until some knight in shining armour came to the rescue (not unlike when waiting for Neil at the bar).

All smiles as Sarah proudly shows off her medal after completing her 30-mile bike ride.

Jo, Carolyn and Melissa finished together and met up with Sarah, where medals were collected, cake scoffed and doubtless copious amounts of tea or some other type of liquid consumed. Jo reckons that next year they will be out in force in bigger numbers and will camp overnight. Like I said, proper hardcore.

 

Pumas v Snails netball tournament.

NORTHOWRAM PUMAS V SOWERBY BRIDGE SNAILS NETBALL TOURNAMENT,

North Bridge Leisure Centre, Sunday, 13 August 2017.

In what is hoped will be the first of many encounters, the Northowram Pumas and Sowerby Bridge Snails found themselves in somewhat unfamiliar territory when they took each other on in this netball competition at North Bridge Leisure Centre. It was all for a good cause, you understand, with monies raised going towards the Danny Jones Defibrillator Fund.

All smiles. Mind, this was before the contest!

Amongst both sets of ladies, there are some nifty netball players; they play in a league on a regular basis. But both the ladies’ teams were made up of non-netball players, gladly giving up their time, if not their reputations, to take part. As for the men? Many, like me, have only played once before – earlier this year, in fact, when the Pumas held an in-house boys v girls match, with the male species getting a right pasting. To give them a fighting chance, a coaching session was held two nights before, then again an hour before the main competition, with the Pumas men taking on the women under the tutelage of umpire Jess Brearley. Here, in the absence of Paul Bottomley, Glenn Ackroyd proved himself to be a mean goal shooter, whilst Peter Reason showed he wasn’t afraid to put himself about. But that was the Pumas. What about the male Snails? Clearly they were taking this event seriously, and if the rumours are to be believed, their coaching sessions lasted several weeks and many more hours. On the day, it paid off.

A bird’s eye view of the action.

Once the Pumas’ practice session had finished, it was time for the real action, the first game starting at 3.00pm on the dot. These matches consisted of two equal halves of six minutes, therefore twelve minutes of playing time. First up were the Pumas Ladies against their Snails counterparts.

In all fairness, the Pumas had more ‘natural’ netball players (four to two) than the Snails, and pretty early on it was clear that there was only going to be one winner. With Julie Bowman using her height to good effect, the Pumas ran up a three-goal lead before the Snails pulled one back before the break. In the second period, it was more of the same, and the Pumas moved into the final courtesy of a 6-2 victory.

Apparently this defensive manouevre is a legit move. But Pumas’ Julie Bowman is undeterred.

The second ‘semi-final’ was this intriguing clash of the two men’s teams; just how much had each side learnt in the time they’d had practising? It wasn’t long before the Pumas realised they were up against a mean machine, with lanky Jonathan Moon and ex-basketball star Dave Collins causing early damage. The Snails led 4-0 at the break, and went on to win the match 7-1, with Glenn Ackroyd finally getting the Pumas on the scoresheet with the outcome by then somewhat of a formality.

While the Snails Men and the Pumas Ladies readied themselves for the final, the third-place play-off match saw Pumas Men taking on the Snail Ladies. The early stages were bereft of chances, but finally the Pumas broke the deadlock and led 2-0 at half-time. In the second period, they ran up a 5-0 lead before the Snails Ladies pulled one back, but it was the Pumas who had the last word as they ran out 6-1 winners.

Pumas’ Matt Newton receives some umph from Jodie Smith.

And so to the final; Pumas Ladies v Snails Men. A mouth-watering clash if ever there was one. Could the Ladies gain the upper hand and stop the Snails in the tracks, or would the Snails continue to be as clinical as they were in the match against the Pumas Men? It was a tough call, but clearly man-for-woman the Snails had a massive advantage; height, to which they used to devastating effect. Collins got the Snails off to a great start and by half-time they had raced into a 3-0 lead. They continued in the much the same vein in the second period, and though Julie Bowman put the Pumas on the scoresheet, it was the Snails who romped to victory, the final score being 7-1 in the favour. There was no doubting it, the best side on the day had won.

Dave Collins nets the first goal in the final and the Snails are on their way.

The final hour saw a full Pumas side take on the Snails in a mixed team contest. This was divided into four quarters of fifteen minutes, with only three men allowed on each side at any one time. Substitutes were made at the end of each quarter. But the match went the way of the Snails from the outset, once Collins had scored the first goal from the edge of the area. At the end of the first quarter, the Snails led 5-1. Most of the damage was done in the second quarter as the Snails scored seemingly at will; there was no reply from the Pumas, and at half-time the Snails led 12-1.

With this simple miss, Pumas’ chances disappear in the mixed contest and player-manager Neil Coupe contemplates his future!

The Pumas made a fist of it in the third quarter, actually winning that segment 2-1, and going into the last period the deficit was now ‘just’ ten goals, 13-3. However, the last quarter was virtually one-way traffic. The slick Snails powered forward and scored at regular intervals. Pumas managed two goals but upon the final whistle, the result proved something of a white-wash; Snails 21 Pumas 5.

The umpire’s whistle signalled not only the end of the netball action, but also the stampede for the bar, where the Pumas showed a clean pair of heels to be first in the queue. In due course, once everyone had been served, the umpires Jess Brearley and Sophie Boothroyd (who had given up their time free of charge) handed out their awards. Mark Brook was given a wooden spoon as the biggest ‘Lobber’, whilst Pumas’ most impressive player was named as Peter Reason. He gleefully collected a giant bar of Cadbury’s, but this award should come as no surprise because Peter is something of a chocolate magnate. The corresponding award for the Snails went to Goal Keeper Ben Trafford. Our Jo made a short speech and revealed that £100 had been raised for the Danny Jones Defibrillator Fund, so it was hats off to everyone who made it such a fun and exciting event.

We were all winners!

For prosperity, the Pumas were represented by the following;

Ladies – Jo Allen, Julie Bowman, Carolyn Brearley, Kirsty Edwards, Shana Emmerson, Tiffany Lewis, Charlotte Reason, Patricia Taylor.

Men – Glenn Ackroyd, Mark Brook, Neil Coupe, Andy Haslam, Mark Kirkby, Andrew Mellor, Johnny Meynell, Matt Newton, Peter Reason.

Amid the often exciting and clever netball on show over the course of the three hours, there was one moment which perhaps went unrecognised. Of the player thrust into a most unaccustomed forward role, yet who, despite being starved of the ball for much of the time, with his only attempt on goal nevertheless managed to score. Many would find this hard to believe, but friends, I know this is true; I was that shooter.