Round two of this league was hosted by Shaftesbury and as winners at our home fixture we where aware that on their home soil they would in all probability be in an even stronger position.
This proved to be so as they again came out on top, scoring 602 points with Havering on 464 reversing the placing of Chelmsford (442) in the previous encounter. Other clubs involved saw Herts. Phoenix 410, Herne Hill 401 and Newham & Essex Beagles 223.
The throwing events again proved to bring our best scores, In the men's hammer Oliver Graham with 61.30m was again a winner whilst Yasha Bobash (50.63m) placed second in the `B` string. Kevin Wilson took second in the shot putt, paving the way for Nathan Bushnell to take the second string result. Kevin also placed second in the discus with the same placing by Oliver Graham in the `B`. Kevin also contested the javelin for third and the high jump in which second was taken from the `B` string. Highlight of the high jump was the second overall by Sam Wright for his clearance of 2.01m was a pb. Sam also placed second in the long jump with 7.10m. Another athlete achieving a pb was Jack Hughes clearing 4.40m in the pole vault and in second place, team manager Paul Owen - a convert from 800m racing placed second in the `B` category.
The women's throws found the Hopkins sisters gaining many points- maximum from the shot putt with Jess on 14.18m and Maegan 11.86m. The discus found Jess (41.55m) second but Maegan winning the `B` result with 37.62m. Maegan also competed in the javelin with Charlotte Graham - both placing fourth with like placings in the hammer.
On the track the men's steeplechase was very rewarding with full points coming from William Nuttall and Jacob Alexander. William also took second in the `B` 1500m - Gregory Martin second in the `A`. Jacob won the second string 400 hurdles, with Archie Sims fourth in the `A`. Luke Oliver (51.95s) and Jacob (52.70s) both set pb`s in the 400 flat event whilst in the 800m Luke just missed out on that distinction with 1m 56.09s but in the `B`race Paul Grange took pole position with 1m 55.35s. The 5000m event brought two pb`s with Joseph Grange on 15m 36.48s (5th) and Paul 15m54.66 (3rd `B`) our veteran running the distance for first time since 2016. Surprisingly we missed out on the 110m hurdles - indeed of the 12 possible athletes only two -from different clubs - feature in the results.
From the women's track Jodie Judd won the 1500m whilst also contesting the 800 and the 200m. Daisy Stollery and Lucy Nuttall performed well over the 3000m, Lucy another filling in a 200m spot. Newcomer Etty Sisson with 56.35s placed second in the 400m - a position also gained by Hannah Bolton in the steeplechase in which she was our sole competitor. Unfortunately in too many events we failed to find competitors in women's events - the high, long and triple jumps and the two hurdles events. Of course in these we rely on our under 17`s and they at this time are quite rightly looking at championships.
A note from Tracy An incredibly depleted ladies’ team (no sprinters, jumpers or hurdlers) was saved by the distance runners who filled events besides their own. A special mention therefore to: Hannah Bolton-400m, 800m, 1500m S/C & 4x400m
Jodie Judd-100m, 200m, 800m, 1500m & 4x400m
Lucy Nuttall-200m, 3k & 4x400m
Teegan Rayner – 100m, 800m,1500m & 4x400m
Our throwers were also there, earning good points for the club. Well done to Jess Hopkins on her new pb of 41.55m in the discus.
Man of the Match-Hannah Bolton
Report written by Roy Meadowcroft