Our NAL Team Hold Their own Against Quality Opponents.

Our opening National League fixture, held at the Melbourne Park stadium brought about a very satisfactory start, beaten only by a very strong club in Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers.

1, Shaftesbury 600 points

2, Chelmsford 536 points

3, Havering 525 points

4, Herts. Phoenix 501 points

5, Newham E Beagles 407points

6, Herne Hill Harriers 358 points

Certainly we got away to an excellent start, taking pole position in both strings of the men’s 400m hurdles via Onyeka Okoh (53.91s) and Archie Sims (59.79s). Later in the day Kristian Brown in the 110 hurdles placed second with a pb clocking of 14.79s whilst Bradley Reed won the `B` race (15.13s). In the steeplechase there were full points with William Nuttall (9m 54.51s) and Ethan Reilly with a pb of 9m 58.75s. Dropping down in the distances Lee Dollard placed  third with a pb of 10.60s in the 100m. As a veteran Pal Grange ran well for third in the 800m with Thomas Woodward second in the `B`race. These placings were duplicated in the 1500m with Jacob Hurrell and Gregory Martin.

Turning to the field events Seb Clatworthy overcame the strong winds clearing 1.90m for a win whilst Jack Hughes put in a fine performance in the pole vault with 4.20m.Kristian Brown with 66.98m won the javelin and was supported by Kevin Wilson second in the `B` Kevin also gained valuable points contesting the discus and shot putt although perhaps the best throwing event was the hammer throw which saw Oliver Graham second with 60.68m and Yasha Bobash first in the second string.                                                                        

There can be little doubt that Chelmsford`s athlete of the meeting was Kissiwaa Mensah. First in the 100m with a pb 11.39s, first in the 200m in 23.56s and then part of both the 4 x 100 and the 4 x 400 teams as  they were to take second spots. Nneka Okoh ran a pb to win her 100m in 12.64s    and also placed second over 200m (26.22s). Jumping up to the 3000m and there was a gallant run by 15 year old Daisy Stollery placing third (10m28.44s) with Sophie Mccallum taking the `B` string honours with (10m45.51s) - another Pb.                                                     

Amelia Scott , another of our young talents, won the long jump (5.57m).  Jess and Maegan Hopkins took maximum points in the shot putt with 13.58m and 12.80m also coming away with valuable points in the discus. In the hammer Charlotte Graham placed third with Jess winning the `B` string.                                                                          

Alas we failed to have competitors in the triple jump, pole vault, high jump and javelin thus missing out on many points.    

Report written by Roy Meadowcroft                            

CAC Athletes Flying the Flag at LIA

The Loughborough prestigious `International` meeting saw seven of our members contesting events.

The International contest consisted of a GB&NI team v the various home countries. 

Included in a young GB&NI team, Kissiwaa Mensah won the 200 metres

in a time of 23.70 whilst also part of the winning 4 x 100 relay team. Also for GB&NI Juniors Sam Wright placed fifth in the long jump clearing 7.20m - a mere .01 short of his pb.   

Representing England Thomas Hewes went over 2.11. for another fifth placing.

Other CAC athletes in open events were Holly Watson 800m (2m 19.29s), Megan Harris mile (5m 00.57s pb), Onyeka Okoh 400m hurdles (53.49s) and Archie Sims 400 hurdles

with a pb of 55.03s having the previous day contested this event in the Southern

League meeting at Norwich.

Report written by Roy Meadowcroft

Bank Holiday Hurdle Fest

Our home stadium at Melbourne Park now attracts meetings involving athletes from throughout the country with the latest a hurdles festival supported by England Athletics.

At this venture no fewer than twelve of our members featured. Under 15 level Chelsea Clarke with 11.54s placed second in the 75 metres whilst in the under 17`s over the 80 metres Amelia Scott with 11.75s and Milana Thorpe with 12.02s each placing second in their respective races - both personal bests.. This trend continued as Rosie Townley in the under 20`s 100m clocked 15.94s and Sophie Catchpole in the 300m hurdles with 44.56s again topping her previous best.

In the under 17men Harry Lee ran an impressive 14.40s for second place whilst Marcus

Fazackerley with 15.05s in third spot recorded another pb. As did Sam Wright in the

under 18 category with 14.35s. Increasing the distance to 400 metres Edward Hughes

55.71s and Daniel Brown 56.07s improved on their bests Archie Sims just missing out

on his best set seven days early  - now clocking 55.23.

The steeplechase events included here saw William Nuttall with 9m 30.12s completing

our performances bringing personal bests.

Report Written by Roy Meadowcroft