Kingston Upon Hull Sunday 4th June 2017
After last month’s first meeting it was clear that our team was neither out-worked or out classed; we were simply smaller in numbers, despite putting out our biggest team in many years. This match was no different. Being in Hull there is an expectation that it will be windy, and it was. The sunshine made it an enjoyable day for spectators but hard going for those on the track. Electronic timing and wind speed measurement gave context to the performances, and anything like personal bests on a day like today were notable. The blustery conditions were measured at times as a wind speed of negative 4m per second. However, the day started off in winning style with victory for Oliver Robinson in the men’s 400m hurdles, followed by two personal bests in the men’s 800m for Archie Scott and Tommy Thorpe. In the field Phil Jones posted a season’s best in the A-string Hammer, whilst James Abbott, earned a personal best in the B-string. Katie James also jumped a season’s best in the women’s long jump.
The day continued with positive performances including a win for Demetric Nelson in the 100m A-string, a victory he repeated in the 200m later in the day; both victories were backed up by a second places in the B-string for Aidan Leach.
Due to injury Ed Chafer ended up with a busy day. Originally Ed travelled to Hull just to run his final race of the season in the 4x400m relay before heading off to “Camp America” for the summer. In preparation for his road trip he packed his car full of other athletes and drove to Hull. Within an hour of getting there he was earning points in the high jump, and 400m before ending his season in the 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m relay teams. In the B-string 400m, despite the wind, Jevannie Ambrose took 1.5 seconds off his personal best. He took the advice of “the 400m is going to hurt whether you run it fast or slow, so you may as well go out fast” to heart, and he certainly reaped the rewards.
Points were hard to come by in the women’s events however season’s bests were recorded by Alana Gill, Marnie Leach and Olivia Francis. Whilst we recognise that the team is simply not large enough to compete with the bigger clubs in the league, the competition provides our most competitive athletes with a testing ground for their upcoming championship performances. Natalie Morris (high jump) and Joanna Lawler-Rhodes (triple jump) both looked in good form earning big points ahead of upcoming regional and national competitions. Aidan Leach had time for one jump in the men’s triple jump before heading off to the 200m, and leaped out to a near personal best of 12.70m; and with one knee left after an injury in the long jump Danny Crosby still managed 4th place in the B-string. Unfortunately, due to some late withdrawals and lingering illnesses the distance events were left empty on the women’s team sheet. Our men’s team was again supported by Paul Lemmon (spelt correctly I hope), Tom Gomersall, and “Arctic” John Parkin in the steeple chase, and 5,000m. Unlike the first meeting, victory in the relays were a step too far but we scored good points in the men’s and women’s 4 x 100m and the men’s 4 x 400m.
Despite not ending on the same high as the first meeting athletes left knowing they were in good shape coming into the championship phase of the season and many were signing themselves up for the next meeting on 9th July. As always, our officials pulled in maximum points (45), and ensured the meeting ran smoothly. Many thanks to all who were involved in today’s competition (coaches, officials and athletes), the team came 5th overall, and after two matches lie 5th in the league standings.
Hopefully we will see some or all at the next meeting. If you are reading this and fancy a go on the track or in the field contact Andy Warriner (women’s team) or Colin Daniel (men’s team) in the usual way.