Seniors Track & Field League Campaign ’07

 

PROMOTION UNCERTAIN AFTER REVERSAL AT GRANTHAM

 

Port of call on the 8th July for our 3rd match of the season in Div 3EC was Grantham, Lincolnshire.

The now customary mini-bus filled up with athletes & officials at various pick up points on our way across Sheffield toward Worksop and the A1 south beyond.

A bright traffic-free Sunday morning made for a swift journey and an easily accessible stadium was reached by 11:00am, giving plenty of time for the usual last minute team sheet completion.

We again had the pleasure of 3 ladies willing to travel and compete in unfamiliar events, for the 1st time - welcome support to a women’s team comprising only 6 recognised athletes.  In complete contrast, the men’s team which had depth and quality throughout; numbering 14 and providing competition for place selection in the strongest men’s team-sheet it has been my pleasure to be manager of!

A dry and sometimes sunny day got underway with field competition at 11:45 and the track commencing at 1:00pm.  Notable performances included:-

·          An excellent “debut” for Richard Spooner in the Men’s 800m, winning his 800m race in spite of technical problems in the footwear department!

·          Todd Marshall again displaying consistent quality by winning both the Men’s 100m & 200m events outright and establishing a bit of a “fan club” amongst our female contingent! Another incentive to run faster perhaps?

·          Quality endurance running combined with jumping & hurdling by Rob Baker & Phil Johnson.

·          Season’s best efforts in the Men’s Javelin for Jay Parnaby and Mick Clift, who together with George Perkins (hammer) scored a combined 54 points (from a maximum possible 64) in the 4 Men’s throwing events.

·          A welcome addition to the repertoire of Chris Taylor with a performance in the Men’s 400m hurdles and a very respectable time of 61:7secs.

·          Hallamshire team debut’s for Clare Baum, Kelly Candy & Tracey Thompson, maybe not a gentle baptism, but hopefully an enjoyable day. Well done ladies!

·          Multi eventing from Jamie Bennett, Amy & Rebecca Wilks who each competed in 5 events, supported by Alex Shorey who competed in all 4 women’s throwing events.

·          A welcome return to team competition this season for Alex Firth, Gavin Keight & Paul Whitelam, all performing to a high standard

·          Admirably supported by other names familiar to the team sheet; Armand Bush, Sallie Ennis, Kelly Hewitson & Craig Wolstenholme.

Full set of results can be viewed at http://www.noeaa-athletics.org.uk/track/league/2007results/3EC_match3.pdf

Thanks also to our Officials who completed the team (and hence added a maximum 30 points to our overall total):

Timekeeper: Bob Taylor.  Track Judge: Steve Marshall.  Field Officials: Ian & Margaret Wainwright, Mandy Newton and George Perkins.

I’d like to add a special thanks to those senior men who made themselves available for the day but could not be accommodated in the team.  Thanks Gareth & Dave, I’m sure opportunity will come very soon.

A close run competition, with some excellent performances: but a reversal of positions with Hallamshire taking 3rd place behind our promotion rivals Derby, who were 2nd.  Kingston upon Hull were, again winners.  Although Derby were stronger than us on the day, it was not by much - only 30 points!

We had the strongest Men’s team of all clubs competing, dominating middle distance and performing well in all other events to contribute 190 points to a team total of 334.  Our “Achilles Heel” is the same one as other matches this and last year - a lack of female athletes which results in us being unable to fill the team sheet and compete across all events.

So we go into the final league match of the season with promotion still wide open. We have a marginal upper hand, with the extra point already in the bag and a superior aggregate score:

Kingston-upon-Hull      18 points         (aggregate score 1420)

Hallamshire                  14 points         (aggregate score 1058)

Derby A.C.                    13 points         (aggregate score 974)

But it’s all very close.  Derby need to up their game to get promotion: we have to do the same!

FINAL MATCH: Sunday 5TH August at HULL.

THE OUTCOME OF THIS YEAR’S COMPETITION IS UP TO US

WE NEED A STRONG TURNOUT AND 2nd PLACE TO SEAL PROMOTION

EVERYONE AGED 16 AND OVER IS MORE THAN WELCOME.

Check your diary.  Suport your club and your Team-mates by making yourself available
A N D   L E T   M E   K N O W ! !

 

JOHN COX Seniors T&F Manager

Tel 0114 286 9310.

 Mob/Txt 07977 049614.

 e-mail jac.johncox@hotmail.com