Seniors Track & Field Season Report 2007

 

 “BANG ON TRACK” in BACK TO BACK PROMOTION TOUR.

Quite a season for our Senior Track & Field athletes with 4 league matches all away from home, new opposition in Division 3EC from the year before and expectations of another promotion if we could again compete with the same commitment & team spirit across all events.

Early signs were promising as the team certainly looked to be stronger and more capable, with new additions in the throws department and a number of talented young athletes now “of age” to compete at senior level with the ability of covering multi-events.

Senior league competition differs from YAL in that we compete against all the teams in our division at every match, with a men’s and women’s team contributing to the overall combined team score.

Division 3EC was a 6 team league, but because of overall league re-structuring for this season only, the top 2 teams would be promoted with the bottom 3 relegated.

So to the 1st match in May at Derby, with hindsight probably THE most important of the season.

Vital to start well, try and get the strongest possible team out and build momentum for the campaign ahead. At least that was the theory………..the reality was a little different.

With a number of willing and versatile athletes, the Men’s team was just about covered, the ladies team, bolstered by enthusiastic late call-ups from our “more mature membership” but still with large gaps, supported well to achieve a 2nd place on the day, surprisingly beating Derby at home into 3rd.

This scenario repeated in the 2nd match at Scunthorpe as it became clear Kingston upon Hull were by far and away the best team in the division. The Hallamshire team was depleted because of late withdrawals, putting additional pressure on those making the trip to compete, still with a willingness to cover vacant team slots we again finished 2nd and importantly, well clear of Derby on the day.

The question now was could we achieve a 2nd spot in the next match & virtually secure promotion?

Competition switched from Saturday to Sunday, significant to clubs (like Derby) who compete in this league with their second team, as their first team’s competition (BAL/….) is always on a Saturday throughout the season, allowing opportunity for their athletes to compete for both teams over the same weekend.

July now & match 3 at Grantham, with the strongest Hallamshire men’s team available for many years; depth & quality allowing many athletes to concentrate on their preferred events and no need for the Team Manager to put his racing flats on!  In complete contrast, the women’s team comprising only 6 recognised athletes willingly supported once again by 3 of our more mature ladies filling events with enthusiasm where able.

Some excellent performances on the day could not make up points lost in events uncovered leading to a reversal of positions; a 3rd place finish with Hull again dominant & Derby 2nd.

So it was left to the 4th and final match at Hull with an uneasy expectation that Derby would “wheel out the big guns” in a bid to claim the runners up promotion place at our expense. We still had the upper hand, being a point in front and having a sizeable aggregate score lead, but we needed to secure a 2nd place to be certain.

There was a high degree of uncertainty in the week building up to the fixture, as once again it was proving very difficult finding athletes to compete, ladies in particular.

Those willing and available made the Sunday morning journey to Hull, for our 4th fixture in hot, sunny weather,

That’s right; ALL FOUR FIXTURES ALL DRY, ALL HOT, ALL SUNNY……. IN THE SUMMER THAT WAS 2007!

On the day our fears proved unfounded as it was clear Derby had greater problems in putting a team together than we did. Even Kingston upon Hull at home were not as strong as in previous fixtures, but still won the day convincingly, Hallamshire securing another 2nd place and with it promotion to Division 2EC for 2008.

A feeling of satisfaction and relief on the journey back which involved a minor diversion for a well deserved celebratory drink for those on the team bus.  DIV 2 HERE WE COME!!

Final Positions

Div 3EC 2007

Match Pts

Aggregate Pts

Match 1

Match 2

Match 3

Match 4

 

1st Kingston upon Hull AC

24

1855

6/527

6/466

6/437

6/435

Promoted

2nd Hallamshire Harriers

19

1453

5/432

5/356

4/334

5/331

Promoted

3rd Derby AC

17

1316

4/392

4/269

5364

4/291

 

4th Scunthorpe & District AC

9

1003

2/246

3/263

1/240

3/254

Relegated

5th Grantham & District AC

8

988

3/333

1/220

3/291

1/144

Relegated

6th Hull Achilles/Goole

7

886

1/227

2/256

2/250

2/153

Relegated

A number of people played key roles in another successful campaign.

Amongst the EVER PRESENT athletes, available at all meets & often competing in the maximum number of events allowed were; Jamie Bennett, Armand Bush, Mick Clift, Todd Marshall, Jay Parnaby, Alex Shorey, Chris Taylor & Amy Wilks.

Special thanks also to our support team of officials, Malcolm Grace, Denise Needes, Steve Marshall, Bob Taylor plus the combined efforts & support of the Clift & Newton families over the season. 

Promotion has been achieved through 2 leagues in as many seasons with the willingness of some to compete in unfamiliar events. This has been crucial in allowing the manager scope to put together a team with A and B string athletes. It is the ability to “fill a team sheet” in areas where we lack recognised specialist athletes that has got the team to this level.

What is essential to recognise is that this alone will not be enough to maintain competition in Division 2.

We have to improve our overall level of ability, be more able, more competitive across ALL athletic disciplines in both the Men’s and Women’s teams to consolidate our position.

One aspect of this season was the difficulty in finding endurance athletes to compete on the track, not a problem we would expect of our club but certainly one over this season. This together with a shortage of ladies in competitive team track & field is a serious concern for next year.

These issues will need to be addressed if we are to continue the success of the senior team over coming years.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY!!

Dates for next years Senior Team Track & Field Season are;

Match 1; Saturday 3rd May 08. Match 2; Saturday 7th June 08.

Match 3; Sunday 6th July 08.   Match 4; Sunday 3rd August 08.

Division 2EC for the 2008 season will comprise of;

Boston AC, Doncaster AC, Hallamshire Harriers, Kingston upon Hull AC, Lincoln AC, Rotherham HAC.

ANYONE OUT THERE IN HALLAMLAND FANCY LEARNING SOMETHING NEW FOR 2008?

Like- how to POLE VAULT, or HIGH JUMP, or TRIPLE JUMP, or HURDLE?

Ever fancied trying your arm as a JAVELIN or HAMMER THROWER?

(Other implements are available!)

NOW is the time to start the preparation for next season. Coaching is available.

Anyone interested in being involved with the Track & Field team for next year?

Please let me know. New Athletes always welcome.

John Cox Senior T&F Team Manager

Tel/Fax 0114 2869310 Mob/Txt 0797 704 9614 e-mail: jac.johncox@hotmail.com