With Steve Way attending a seminar in connection with his sponsors, Simon Munro sidelined for the moment with injury, and Karl Welch unable to compete, but with four of BAC's consistent performers present, much was going to depend on our fifth scorer in the fourth fixture of this season's Hampshire League at Kings Park on 14 January. This turned into a contest between Andy Jennings and Graeme Miller, Andy just taking the fifth scoring position by a margin of 24 seconds. Ian Habgood led the BAC team, with a strong performance taking him once again into the top ten, followed shortly by Jacek Cieluszecki, who continues to display his remarkable ability over the country. Jon Sharkey must surely now be admitting his fitness is returning, finishing, as he did, in the top twenty, and fourth BAC scorer, with Rob McTaggart just 19 seconds behind. BAC thus achieved a score of 118, comfortably in fourth position on the day, but Southampton Athletic Club carried out their threat to produce a strong team at this fixture, with their best score (80) so far, and were 2nd equal team (with Reading Athletic Club, who won't count towards the overall season competition as they didn't field a full team at Farley Mount). Although no-one will catch Aldershot, Farnham & District, BAC still lie second in the aggregate Senior Mens' table, just two points ahead of SAC, and a strong performance at the final fixture at Salisbury could result in maintaining that position. But a strong performance is needed! In the individual Senior Mens' competition, Ian Habgood is at present 8th=, Steve Way 11th, Jacek Cieluscecki 13th, and Rob McTaggart 16th, so the BAC Mens' team is still on target for one of the best team and individual Hampshire League season results ever - but it all depends on Salisbury!

BAC's Junior Men achieved their best result so far, with Josh King's excellent run placing him 3rd in the race, and leading the team to 2nd position on the day, and a 3rd aggregate placing, so our Junior Men could also finish well up the table with a strong team performance at Salisbury. David Long and Brendan Kirkton completed the BAC team.

Congratulations to Bridget Dence, who now can't be beaten for the U13 Girls' title. Although Bridget was second at Kings Park, she had a fine run, closing in rapidly on the winner in the final stages of the race, and may well have taken a win had the course been slightly longer.

Bournemouth Athletic Club hosted the fixture at Kings Park, and thanks are due to the helpers who turned up to marshal and carry out the other duties necessary for the successful running of such an event. The course was marshalled by Janet Dickinson, Simon Munro, Andy Gillespie, Richard Nelson, Hannah Molyneaux and Rob (Hannah's Dad), Martin Long, Robin James and Jud Kirk. Hazel and Jemma Bates, Sam Lednor and Simon Hunt controlled the finishing tunnel, and Brian and Dawn Johnsons' expertise as time-keepers was put to good use. Thanks are also due to the County officials who came along - Dave Sanderson (referee), John Gregory (starter), Kath Sanderson, Nigel Harding and Chris Potter (time keepers). The sub-committee organising the fixture consisted of Tom Cochrane, Dave Parsons and Ian Graham, all of whom were present carrying out a variety of functions on the day. In all, 541 people ran in eight separate races, and we at BAC are entitled to give ourselves a little pat on the head for a job well done.

The fixture at Kings Park also doubled up as the County Cross Country Championships for the Senior, Veteran and U20 Men and Women. It was necessary to enter the Championship, which Jacek Cieluszcecki did. Jacek beat off all the other entrants to the Championship, so won the gold medal as Cross Country Champion for the 2011/12 season, and Jacek is to be congratulated on this achievement.

Results (BAC):

Senior Men:
9. Ian Habgood 29.14; 14. Jacek Cieluszecki 29.38; 19. Jon Sharkey 31.11; 24. Rob McTaggart 31.30; 53. Andy Jennings 34.31; 60. Graeme Miller 34.55; 113 (42nd Veteran) Simon Hunt 38.24.

Junior Men:
3. Josh King 19.31; 11. David Long 20.16; 22. Brendan Kirkton 22.09; 27. Harry Horton-Hill 23.31.

U15 Boys:
10. Corrie Norton 13.40; 26. Lewis Golden 14.39.

U13 Boys:
20. Glen Balfour 9.00.

U13 Girls:
2. Bridget Dence 8.26; 29. Ella Sykes 9.51.