Champions begin season in style (From Times Series)

Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers’ Under-13 boys’ side begin title defence in style

4:49pm Wednesday 31st October 2012 in Sport

There was a fine start to the North West London League campaign for Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers’ Under-13 boys’ side as the defending champions stormed to victory in the first fixture at Horsenden Hill.

Jamie Harper was first home for the team as he placed second with a competitive time of 10.25. Thomas Fulton finished fourth in 10.49, while Nathan Fernandes (10.53) was just behind in fifth.

Adam Shiret (10.57) claimed seventh, while Hamza Kadir was eighth in 11.15. Henry Fulton (13.04) rounded off the Shaftesbury athletes as he crossed the line for 34th.

Their performance sealed a strong victory for Harriers, who started perfectly as they look to retain their crown.

Meanwhile, the Under-11 girls performed well over their 1200m course to claim fourth spot.

Nicole Brown placed sixth in 5.41, while Hannah Cohen stopped the clock on 6.07 for 17th. Olivia Bowen (6.09) was just behind for 18th and Gemma Harper was 27th in 6.28.

Highgate Harriers claimed top spot overall with 26 points, while Barnet were fourth with 41.

The Under-11 boys also placed fourth as they tackled 2000m.

Elby Cinnamond impressed and secured sixth position in 7.54 and Frederick Shiret finished 13th in 8.18. Tom Brennan came home in 15th in 8.22 as Barnet finished on 85 points, well behind Highgate who again claimed first.

In the Under-13 girls race, Ella Cohen put in a strong performance to take third in 8.21, while Sophie Cohan was 34th in 9.49. The duo helped Barnet to a sixth place finish overall.

There was a lone runner for the Under-15 girls as Emma Dwan placed 12th in a time of 12.20.

The Under-15 boys claimed second position overall thanks in part to the fourth-place finish for Khalid Ali-Ahmed.

He crossed the line in 14.36, while James Brennan was shortly behind in ninth with a time of 14.58.

Nathan Davies (15.20) and James Noble-Brown (15.45) came home 15th and 19th respectively to confirm Harriers’ second spot.

The Under-17 men’s race was held over 4,700m and Joseph Brennan ran well to scoop fourth place in 17.40. Kevin Kapapiro (19.01) secured eighth to help Harriers to fourth position overall with 44 points.

It promises to be another busy weekend for Harriers athletes as the National Cross Country Relays are held on Saturday at Berry Hill Park, Mansfield.

Shaftesbury’s junior women will be looking to repeat their success of last year when they were crowned national champions.