2 minute read
Sport
Running blind in honour of friend
By Lorraine Gibson
RUNNERS wearing race bibs bearing the message ‘In memory of David Edwards’ took part in Wimborne’s annual 10-mile road race to raise money for their late friend’s favourite charity.
They joined more than 400 runners at Pamphill Green on Sunday, November 20, for what was the final event of the year in the Dorset Road Race League, where many were raising funds for various other charities including Julia’s House.
David Edwards lost his sight 30 years ago but despite his disability he was a veteran of more than 200 park runs, competing in events such as The Virtual London Marathon and Great South Run with his guides John Baker and Cliffe Tribe.
David was an avid campaigner for the charity Guide Dogs, so to honour him and carry his legacy forward Cliffe completed the race with a blindfold guided by his companion John – raising more than £3000 for the charity in the process.
In near perfect conditions, Harry Lauste of Tremlow Track Club won the race in a time of 52min 33sec followed by Christopher Peck (54min 18sec) and Jonathon Cooper (56min 56sec), both from Egdon Heath Harriers.
The first woman was Vicky Ingham, from Poole Runners, in a time of 59min 35sec followed by Georgina Povall (1hr 1min 40sec) from Egdon Heath Harriers and Helen O’Neile (1hr 3min 1sec) from Poole Runners.
Cliffe Tribe runs with a blindfold guided by John Baker, above, in honour of their friend David Edwards. Race winner Harry Lauste of Tremlow Track club, below, and women’s race winner Vicky Ingham of Poole Runners, right
Spencer kicks secure win for Swans
SWANAGE & Wareham travelled to Combe Down, near Bath, for a Southern Counties league fixture, and in a lowscoring game Swans’ second half display secured the victory.
The first ten minutes of the game were even, but a series of penalties to Combe Down took them into Swans’ 22, where with a series of scrums they remained there for the next ten minutes.
However, a penalty to Swans cleared their lines. Swans moved upfield and on 24 minutes a penalty to Swans just outside the hosts’ 22 had Swans winger Matt Spencer landing the score to give Swans a 3pts lead.
Combe Down responded well and put Swans under pressure. From a catch/drive move after 35 minutes they powered over the line out wide.
The conversion was missed, making the half-time score Combe Down 5 Swans 3.
Swans started the second half on the attack, dominating the scrums and putting the hosts defence under pressure.
After 56 minutes Swans scored a push-over try by captain James Casey close to the posts.
Matt Spencer added the extras to put Swans 10-5 ahead.
Combe went on the offensive but a combination of good Swans tackling and their own mistakes restricted them.
Good runs by Swans wing forwards Matt Roberts and man of the match Trevor Ford were stopped short of the line.
With ten minutes left another penalty by Matt Spencer put Swans up to 13 points.
It could have been more but a final penalty went just wide to leave the final score 5-13 in favour of the visitors.
Swans team: R Ferguson, M Spencer, T Munns, S Bowman, O Dillon, W Slack, T Ford, Z Wyburgh, C Foskett, N McMath, D Collins, M Seaton, B Dennett, M Roberts, J Casey, N Audley, H Hadd, L Spyers.
