Young Athletes Match –
Well it looked like being a hot and sunny day for our final
match of the season - home at
We had half the groups fully loaded, but shortfalls in U13 Boys
(as ever), U17 Men (holidays and other commitments) and U17 Women (half the
girls away on a school trip!). Disappointing
in light of how much was riding on the result of the match, but the team were
well up for it and determined not to go down without a fight!
So the match got underway and the unveiling of out new pole-vaulters
- Andy Moss and Harry Williams being the first Hallamshire athletes to take
part for many a year. Harry sailed over
the bar to victory and Andy …. well Andy had a lot of
fun.
Some excellent performances on the day with new PBs:
Tom Butler U17M 800m
Sam Barnsley U15B 400m and 200m
Matt Milson U17M Triple Jump
Lauren Potter U15G High Jump
There were many other exceptional performances throughout –
too numerous to list. The vast majority
showed great fortitude and maturity: recognising the importance of the team
result – not just their own individual interests. They were a credit to the club and served as
an example as to what we were all supposed to be there for!!
Well done Faye and Jasmine who did the sprint hurdles, and Matt
Jarvis who fell over in his race but got right up and finished the race to gain
the points.
Lauren Stone who, despite pulling a
muscle in the 1500m, still went straight over to throw the javelin and get
points.
Special well done to Tom Butler for getting us 4 points by doing
the 1500m Steeplechase – for the first time ever – and, along with Matt Milsom, using it as a warm up for the 4x400m Relay straight
after.
Three of the four League Young Athletes of the Match came
our way:
Hannah Fletcher
Matt Milsom
Lauren Potter
Thanks also go out to all the officials on the day:
especially Rick O’Toole and John Cox who worked without break all day doing results
and scores – with the announcer’s job thrown in for good measure;
We were lucky enough to get away with no rain until the very
end: the 4 x 400m relay. But it didn’t
dampen the spirits with everyone cheering them on.
With the
last race over, it was time the promised end of season party! Victory on the day made the food taste even
sweeter. Despite being too modest to
want it, a very special mention must go to Mandy Newton (assisted by Ian and
Rebecca), for organising and preparing the food and drink. Everyone enjoyed it and there are even some
photos to look at in the gallery at www.hallamshireharriers.co.uk/Gallery/2007_YA5_Woodbourn/HHS_YA5_2007.htm!
Well done team - we managed to stay up for another year. It's been a memorable season with some excellent
performances and some good laughs on the way; especially my famous “bribery sweets!”
Might have to rethink my love of all things pink, though - pink
coaches are definitely off my list after Jarrow!!!
Hope you all have a well earned rest over the hols. Though there are still some opens for those
who want to continue competing over the summer.
Thanks for
all the support, from kids and parents alike, over the season.
Rachel