June 2004

 

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June 2004

McCraken makes the Grade (6th June)
The track and field season is at its busiest in June. Liverpool Pembroke Sefton Young Athletes made the trip to Leeds for a league match and recorded some outstanding performances. For example, Matthew McCracken had a Grade 1 400m win in 51.5 in the Under 17s and with Tom Daniels, Joe Nelson and Sam Glynn took the 4 x 100m relay race. There was an extraordinary series of double wins in the Under 15s with A and B victories in the 100m (Nathan Hilton 12.4 and Martin Osbourne 12.5), the 200m (Danny Higham 24.2, Nathan Hilton 25.8) and 400m races (Jack McGinn 55.7, Wayne Ashall 58.4). These four were also unstoppable in the 4 x 100m relay. Among the Under 13s Jake Helm romped home in the 1500m in 4.56.9.
 
The Girls were equally active. At Under 17 Helen Green won the 300m in 45.4 and the ever dependable Natalie Walsh was an easy winner of the Discus with 33.02m. Anna Taylor`s throw of 25.00m in the Javelin was aslo too good for the opposition. There was an eyecatching double at Under 13 in the 800m with Emma Bowen(2.37.2) and Hannah Shirley(2.40.8) striding home well clear.
 
Readle in a class of his own (5th June)
The Senior Men and Women were at Blackburn. Dave Readle is a class apart in the throws as one would expect from a former international taking the Shot and Discus with ease and with veteran Mark Line providing the usual B wins as well. Mark Grimshaw is having a season he will remember with another win and fast time at 400m of 50.4. Ben Jones`s  schedule in his bid for a national 5000m title was boosted with a good run at 1500m of 3.59.9. There were few women available but those that were did well. Taking second places were Keri Massey in the Discus and Maria Barrett in the 3000m.

Report Charles Gains
Double victory for local athletes
 
Liverpool Pembroke Sefton Junior(Under 20)athletes were at Bebington for the second league match. Both Men and Women were up against a powerful combined North Wales team. Star performance of the girls was probably Erin Halsall`s 300Om win achieved by virtually lapping the entire field. Kiera Vogel enjoyed a good double at 400m and 800m while throwers Natalie Walsh and Kerri Massey outclassed everybody in the Hammer and Javelin. A  4 x 400 relay victory gave an unexpected team win over North Wales.
 
Phil Taylor, home from Loughborough University, posted wins and personal bests at 100m(11.2) and 200m(22.10). Mark Grimshaw empahasised his emerging talent with a 400m victory in 50.10. He was to do even better a week later. Possibly the best performance though was Andy Wignall`s 110m hurdle win in a sharp 15.70. Comfortable double relay wins at 4 x 100 and 4 x 400m saw the Men also topple North Wales in the team result.
 
At the Northern Junior Championship at Wigan Phil Taylor was set to retain his 400m crown but found himself up against a quality Sudanese runner, Rabba Yusif of Border Harriers. He ran magnificently but Yussif was always in control and he had to settle for second. The most delightful performance came from club colleague Mark Grimshaw who was fifth in the final but who chopped a whole second off his personal best in the heats with a great 49.11. He is moving in to the top ranks of the one-lappers. Michael Rimmer retained his 800m title in 1.51.5. He now goes in search of a 1.49 performance that will guarantee selection for this year`s European Championships in Italy.

Report Charles Gains