Young Athletes Match – Jarrow  24th June

After a lot of “to-ing and fro-ing” coercing, begging, arguing, and a few other inter-actions, we finally loaded a very full coach for the long trip to Monkton Stadium, Jarrow (near Newcastle).  This meant that everyone had to be up far too early as departure time was 8:00 am!  Still, be glad we don't live in Boston, as they had to leave at 6am (some having already travelled a fair way to get to their pick up point).  The usual suspects all turned out but it was equally good to see a few new faces helping to fill the team sheet.

It wasn't a bad day: quite warm with the sun out now and then.  Much better than being in Sheffield - where it rained all day.  Also, gaps in the other teams helped Hallamshire cheers to be even louder than usual.

Lots of “well dones” this time!!!

First  - all the lads who competed in the hammer, after only a few weeks training in my multi event academy (sorry Claire, you can’t compete yet – league rules - not my fault!).

Next - Richard Spooner, who won U17M 800m in a new PB and G1 at the same time.  He celebrated by promptly sharing his lunch with everyone.  All his friends really appreciated that one.

Remi Cockrell, who achieved a G1 winning the 1200m.  This earned her the YAL Athlete of the Match.

Adam Thomas and Matt Jarvis who both won their javelin competition. It was a tough contest!

The U13 girls 800m was a nail biting race between Hannah Fletcher and Claire Wilsher, who chased each other round the track to finish 1st and 2nd.  It was a tough fight but Hannah just shaded in on the line beating Claire's time by 0.02 sec.  Both got a G2.

Special mention to Alice Stubbs who, thanks to last minute shuffles of the field events, had to leave the High Jump to run the 3000m and then return to compete her jumps.  That bit of endeavour added 6 points to the total.  Thanks, Alice.

Also to Hannah Malmgren for gaining 4 points winning the ‘B’ U13G High jump with a G4 at her first attempt - ever, to go with her G2 victory in the U13G 100m. and her G4 ‘B’ victory points in the 1200m.  Another 12 points to the tally.

Sam Barnsley also won three events: 100m, 200m (both with G2) and the High Jump.

In all the U17 boys won half of all their events, but that was eclipsed by the U13 girls -  the strongest team on the day - winning over ¾ of their events.

We won half our relay races and came second in the others - So well done, teams.

There were so many exceptional performances I haven’t got room to mention them all!  Sorry to anyone, I’ve forgotten.

I can proudly say we won convincingly by 62 points - despite a lack of U13 and U15 boys.

SO it was a tired, but happy band which returned to the bus, homeward bound . That was the theory, anyway!  It wasn’t to be, thanks to a dead battery.  Not what anyone wanted at 6pm on a Sunday evening in the middle of North East England!   Fortunately, the one thing that existed around there was……. a pub!!

It was conveniently only 3mins up the road, with a handy garden, play area, and even a live band.  Don't think the manager was over impressed when I asked if we could come in with over 50 potential under age drinkers!!!

Still we all had a drink (appropriate to age that is), some had four!!  Some had a dance and a few played on the slide!!  We all had a laugh and a great time until eventually the coach was fixed and we could finally head back to Sheffield.  The experience was captured on camera and can be seen in the photo gallery on our site at www.hallamshireharriers.co.uk/Gallery/2007_YA4_Jarrow/HHS_YA4_2007.htm

My usual round of sweets went down rather well on the way back, as did the club-sponsored McD  burger, which kept the kids going till we arrived Hillsborough at 10:00 pm: 14 hours after setting off!. To say it was a long day is an understatement but the team spirit was brilliant throughout.

Big thanks to everyone for turning out.  All the athletes and usual helpers, especially Steve Marshall (he knows why), Nigel Barnsley (cheers for your help), Andy Hogg and Simon Rippon (who stayed to offer support after the match when most others had gone).

The final match is on 22nd July at Woodbourn Road.  IT’S A HOME MATCH SO LET’S HAVE ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE – ATHLETES, COACHES, COMMITTEE, FAMILIES - DOWN THERE to compete, help, or just yell their support.
We aren’t out of the relegation zone yet, so every club member has their part to play in keeping us in Division 1. (including my new pole vaulters, who I’m hoping will be unveiled for the first time).

Please make it a memorable Hallamshire day by being part of it.

Rachel

full match results at - http://www.natyal.co.uk/results/rd4/N1EMonkton240607.pdf