YORK Acorn missed out on the chance to compete in the National 12 Stage Relays.

They needed to finish in the top-25 at the Northern 12 Stage event at Blackpool but could only finish 27th and were left reflecting on the absence of key performers.

Andy Burt gave the club a good start coming home in 31st and with Acorn's better performances came in the short legs from Sandy Cowan and Andy Neesom Acorn improved to 23rd.

Despite a good debut on the roads from Tim Lawes and Acorn's fastest long leg from Steve Simpson Acorn finished a minute adrift of the last qualifying position.

Acorn Running Club times - (5.1 mile legs): Andy Burt 28mins 8secs, Mike Raynes 30-01, Steve Simpson 27-43 and Bob Duncan 28-51. (2.7 mile legs): Sandy Cowan 13-50, Andy Neesom 14-15, Tim Lawes 14-54, Andy Normandale 14-25, Ian Wilcox 17-36, Martin Kirby 15-37, Martin Lawn 15-15 and Jerry Barnes 15-16.

Updated: 10:09 Friday, April 11, 2003