Stylish comeback for Mills, Draper
12:59pm Friday 28th September 2001
Blackheath Harriers, Bromley, made a confident start to its winter season with both men and women's teams winning at the club's annual cross-country relays at Sparrow's Den, in West Wickham.
Club members also provided the fastest individual times in both races and in the men's competition had the fastest individuals on four of its six stages.
It was particularly pleasing to see the return to competition of Anthony Draper and Joe Mills, who have been sorely missed over the summer months.
Draper controlled the opening 2.5-mile stage, cruising home in 13min 12sec and Mills clocked the second-fastest time of the day when he timed 12:59 on leg five.
Fastest of the day, however, was Roy Smith who had an outstanding run on stage 3 to consolidate the lead established by Draper and Scott McDonald.
His time of 12:54 was all the more noteworthy as he is awaiting an operation to remove tissue growth from the top of his leg.
Dan Marks (15:05) and Pat Calnan (13:48) completed the team and to add to the celebrations, the club also fielded the winning B team.
Like the men, the women's team led from start to the tape following an excellent opening stage from Jennie Butler. She clocked the fastest leg of the day in 15:17, which was nearly half a minute faster than any other runner and left the team over two minutes clear of second.
New member Sarah Cummings ran a useful 19:06 on the second stage to be followed by