Mid-season update, men’s Div 1.
Reigning champs (x2) HW have taken over the lead after a domineering performance today at Mitcham Common, scoring 161 and making Belgrave’s early season optimism a much tougher task to follow through in the back end.
1: HW 255+161 = 416
2: BEL 253+344 = 597
A huge margin for the Bels to close, but not unassailable. Perhaps if Wimbledon prioritise other races in the New Year and Belgrave’s second claimers return to the fray the fight could be back, but it feels unlikely. The third match (Jan) with a home advantage could seal the deal for the Hercules men: remember when they scored in ~140 at home a couple of years back? That would end things.
Things get much more interesting with three teams within 60 points for league bronze. Kent were a mightily impressive second today, narrowly ahead of Belgrave and their resultant move into third overall is richly deserved and thanks to persistent team spirit year after year. A big gun or two in early 2024 could see them solidify that position (and an outside chance, dare they dream, of beating BEL to Silver?)
3: KEN 466+337 = 803
4: HHH 430+426 = 856
5: DUL 439+424 = 863
After the most impressive Xc season in their history G&G are dwindling in 6th but safely above any suggestion of relegation: just showing how difficult it is to back up consistent team showings year after year, something Kent are to be applauded for and HW seem to have cracked in the post-Pandemic era.
6: G&G 480+468 = 948
Notable that every club in the top six (other than BEL) improved their A Team score today in Div 1. Can this trend continue and will Dulwich keep creeping up to an historic finish?