Twell Uses 2020 Vision to Stay Focused on Goal of Emulating Radcliffe
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102 THE TIMES Saturday December 13 2008 Sport Rugby union Twell uses 2020 vision GRAHAM HUGHES Camels aim to get ADRIAN LANGDON to stay focused on goal over the hump of of emulating Radcliffe long trip north in Athletics bid for more glory Rick Broadbent happy and did not linger in China. “I ful of stepping up in class. It is doubt- Athletics Correspondent didn’t want to go sightseeing,” she ful that there is an athlete in any sport said. “I wanted to be in that final.” with such a meticulous game plan. Cornish minnows face 450-mile journey to The difference between the next big Radcliffe used to mentor Twell and After the 1,500 metres at the 2012 Ol- thing and the next-best one is a false has seen enough of that attitude to be ympics and the 10,000 metres in 2016, take on Tynedale, of Northumberland, in EDF dawn, but the teen tipped to be “The excited. “How promising is she?” the she is eyeing the marathon in 2020. New Paula” has even whetted the marathon world record-holder said. “Some people don’t want to step out Energy National Trophy, writes Patrick Kidd appetite of the old one. Steph Twell “Really, really promising. She has got of the 1,500 metres and try to exhaust has a 12-year plan and a 2012 pin. “I her head screwed on. She has that it,” she said. “But it’s good to challenge don’t set boundaries because I want to mental toughness you need. People yourself in different areas. At my club Camels are known for their ability to exceed expectations,” she said. think you need a coach to push you in in Aldershot we’ve been bred that it’s travel great distances and suffer hard- Betjeman v Bruce Twell is mirroring the rise of Paula certain directions, but in Steph’s case all about the enjoyment of running ship, but walking across the Sahara on Radcliffe, honing her stamina on the it’s almost a case of holding her back. and if you have that then why a humpful of palm water is a doddle Wadebridge Camels cross-country killing fields, where she She does not need pushing. She knows wouldn’t you want to run 26.2 miles?” compared with the task confronting Founded 1955 goes for a record third European where she is going and has great race In Beijing Twell caught the bus to Wadebridge Camels this weekend. Play at Molesworth Field on the junior title in Brussels tomorrow, and intuition — you can’t coach that.” Tiananmen Square for the start of the Last night the Cornish team began Camel estuary in north Cornwall planning Olympic marathon glory. Tomorrow marks Twell’s last signifi- women’s marathon. It was her 19th their trek north to Tynedale in North- Play in Tribute Western Counties This year she went to Beijing for the cant competition as a junior. She says birthday. She had exchanged words umberland for today’s match in the west division (seventh tier); 217th Maclennan, the Wadebridge wing, at his day job among the cabbages, while Julian Wilce, below, soars in a lineout experience and was competitive in the she feels quite emotional about it but with Radcliffe and was inspired by her third round of the EDF Energy Nation- in English rugby’s pecking order 1,500 metres heats. But she was not is incredulous when asked if she is fear- heroic failure. “She asked how I was al Trophy, 450 miles away and 184 County cup titles One Newquay to Newcastle, which would of rugby, half the team were absent at doing and she recognised my perform- places higher in the rugby pecking or- Colours Chocolate and gold have left a 16-mile drive each end, a wedding. ance at the World Junior Champion- der. Who says that football’s FA Cup Famous residents Andrew but Newquay airport is temporarily Everyone has made themselves GB prospects ships [Twell won the 1,500 metres],” has a monopoly on tales of romance? Ridgeley, Wham! singer; Jethro, closed this month because of licensing available this weekend. The team will Twell said. “For her to take the time to Wadebridge, the lowliest of comedian; Sir John Betjeman, poet problems, so the team had to drive be captained by Wilce’s son, Julian, a Mo Farah Fresh acknowledge that was an honour.” minnows, are third in the Tribute an hour and a half to Exeter airport. second-row forward who is also the from a six-week Transport problems meant that Western Counties west division. Half Tynedale To keep costs down, they will not coach and, by day, a primary-school training stint in Twell did not get to the Bird’s Nest of their players are farmers and their Founded 1876 be getting a coach at the other end teacher. Alasdair Maclennan, the star Ethiopia, he leads Stadium for the tear-jerking denoue- only paid employee is the cleaner. Play at Tynedale Park, Corbridge, but will rely on a minibus making wing, is a 35-year-old cabbage sales- the men’s ment so she went on a 30-minute This is the first time they have in southwest Northumberland shuttle runs from the hotel to the man. Other players are fishmongers, challenge in the morning run in Tiananmen Square. “I qualified for the trophy, which is Play in National League Two (third ground. tax collectors and bicycle repairmen. 10km senior race think she showed great Olympic spir- contested by all teams save the 12 tier); 33rd in club pecking order Controlling the budget is crucial for They may be lowly, but Wadebridge at the European it,” Twell said of her inspiration. “She’s Guinness Premiership clubs. County cup titles 21 Wilce. He has decided to drive to have some important connections to Cross-Country prepared to put her body on the line.” Tynedale are fifth in National Colours Blue and white Tynedale rather than fly, to save top-flight rugby. Will Carling, the Championships The same goes for Twell. Her best League Two, 21 places below the Famous residents Catherine money, while other club officials are former England captain, is a fan — tomorrow. time for the 1,500 metres is 4min Premiership. Six of their players have Cookson, author; Steve Bruce, doubling up their roles. For one day “He didn’t play for us, but most of his Hayley Yelling 5.83sec, which is not enough to trou- represented England or Scotland at Wigan Athletic FC manager only the chairman will also be the uncles did,” Wilce said. “There’s a The 2004 ble the top 30 in the world this year, age-group level and they have a loan physiotherapist. Even then the ven- team photo that has seven Carlings in champion heads a but her improvement, age and mind- deal with the Newcastle Falcons ture will cost £6,000. it” — and the young Olly Barkley, the women’s team set set her apart. The Olympic experi- academy. They have been in the “The money is a nightmare,” Wilce Gloucester and England fly half, first looking for their ence has also helped. “I think about Be- National League structure for eight Tynedale said. “The RFU offer a grant of up to kicked a ball on Molesworth Field. ninth successive ijing every day,” she said. “I’ve come years and have lost at home only once £1,300, but we have been contacting “All the time he was doing well with team medal. out a different athlete. Everyone is in in more than two years. local businesses to get sponsorship. It’s Wilce said. Their reward was a home England no one ever mentioned that Andy Vernon The their own environment and you don’t To call it a daunting challenge for quite a task. I just hope the pitch isn’t tie against Old Colfeians, of London he started at Wadebridge colts,” Wilce bronze see what’s going on in other sports, Wadebridge is an understatement, but frozen when we get there.” Two South, which they won 10-6, and said. “Then he appeared in court [on medal-winner in but the focus the cyclists and swim- for Tony Wilce, their manager, the Wadebridge, five miles from then another home match against assault charges that were dropped] the under-23s last mers had was great. It was incredibly ordeal is in just getting there. “We Padstow in north Cornwall, qualified Shelford, which also brought victory, and suddenly the press started to say year, Vernon will valuable. I felt I belonged there and it’s were delighted to beat Shelford [who for the National Trophy by winning 22-15. “We were lucky to have our first that he was a former Camel.” hope for better in where I want my future to be. are top of London One] in the second the Cornwall Cup for the first time. “It games at home as we’ve got a good Win today and the club will have that event after “I’m getting stronger. The next step round, but we’re paying for it now,” he Wadebridge 50 miles was fantastic to see our name on that record there,” Wilce said. A 27-match new heroes. Wilce just hopes that they winning the senior is to get to a major final and I don’t Faster, farther, stronger: Twell’s target for the Olympics is to contest the said. “Tynedale is almost in Scotland.” trophy along with such great clubs as home winning streak ended only last get a home draw in the fourth round.