JHI Trophy

Scotland had mixed success in the Home Internationals, as the Juniors won the Inter-Regionals for the seventh consecutive year, while the Veterans could only manage a disappointing third in the Veteran Home International.

In the junior event, the three athletes from Forth Valley were prominent, as Lizzie Stansfield was 2nd in W16 (51.12) Scotland took maximum points from the class, and filled out four of the top five places in a major show of points denial. Peter Molloy was 3rd in M16 (42.33), and Jamie Goddard managed 5th place in M14 (44.22).

With a healthy overnight lead, Scotland were then first past the post in both mens and womens relays to retain the trophy they last lost in 2011.

Peter Molloy had the opening leg for Scotland II, and came home one second behind Scotland I's Matthew Gooch (19.48). Jamie Goddard was on the middle leg for Scotland IV, and maintained the 11th place he was handed at the changeover, returning in 22.48. Lizzie Stansfield was on the opening leg for Scotland IV in the womens race, and came home 5th (22.30) as Scotland filled four of the top six places in the W16 phase of the relay.

The Veteran team was short-handed from the outset, missing both an M60 and a W50 athlete from the start list while FVO's Roger Goddard was also absent injured.

The five FVO athletes who did make it to the start line all played their part in a strong effort from the depleted Scots. Hazel Dean won the W55 race by four minutes (51.43), while there were 2nd place finishes for both Will Hensman (M35 - 68.26) and Marcus Pinker (M40 - 59.45).

Ben Stansfield was 3rd in M50, (57.58), while Fraser Purves, racing for only the second time since winning the Scottish Championship in May, was 4th in M45 (57.47).

Likewise, in the second day relays, all of the FVO contingent were up there on their individual legs. Ben Stansfield had the fastest split on the middle leg of the WMW relay (30.50), and Fraser Purves was 6th quickest (34.10).

Marcus Pinker pulled his Ireland team out of the mire with a fast closing leg in MWM (32.30), recording the 2nd fastest split, while Hazel Dean and Will Hensman were on the 5th quickest team of the day, with Hazel 5th on the middle leg (36.30) and Will going one better on the closer (35.57).