Strength in depth makes up for stars

GIAAC are sending their largest team ever to this Saturday's Hampshire cross-country championship on a waterlogged Eastleigh course.

In three successive years Guernsey has produced the senior men's champion courtesy of Lee Merrien (2012) and Steve Dawes (2011 and 2013), and in their absence it would be a supreme optimist to think GIAAC can come up trumps again.

But Paul Ingrouille, the club's head of endurance, is excited by the potential of the whole squad, seniors and juniors.

'Those two are hard acts to follow but the depth of the Guernsey squad looks good and they will be hopeful of repeating their team silver of last year,' he said.

'David Emery and Mike Wilesmith showed good form on Boxing Day and on his last outing 1,500m specialist Mike Batiste showed he was in good cross-country shape.

'Without Lee or Steve to call on we will be relying on our greater depth this year and the likes of Ben Wilen, Will Bodkin, Jason James, Tristan Robilliard and the ever-present Alan Rowe have important roles to play.'

On the women's side, last year's runaway winner Louise Perrio will attempt to defend her title but is likely to face a stronger field this year with the formidable Aldershot/St Mary's training group likely to be using the event as a precursor to the following week's Edinburgh International Cross Country.

More in today's Guernsey Press.