Phil Taylor strikes gold in Europeans
Local athletics fans were glued to their television sets last weekend watching the European Indoor Championships at the Birmingham Indoor Arena. The Liverpool Pembroke Sefton star had received his first full international call up to represent Great Britain in the 4 x 400m relay team. As often happens in this event there was plenty of drama. Britain’s Number 1,
 Tobin, Garland, Green, Taylor Rob Tobin, led at the first take over. Dale Garland yielded a couple of places but sent Phil Taylor away third. Running very strongly Taylor not only held his position but managed a slick baton change to jump final stage runner Steve Green into second spot. On the final bend Green managed to stay out of trouble as a German athlete pushed a Russian out of the way to stride home first. Green rounded the Russian for a wonderful silver spot. But it wasn’t over, a protest against the German was upheld and this gave the British squad the much coveted title. Phil `The Power’ Taylor as he is known to his mates, and describing himself as the new guy on the team, had his hands on a brilliant gold medal. It was the finale to a very successful weekend for Great Britain athletes.
Elsewhere the cross country season is winding itself down before the National Championships at Sunderland. Blackburn was the scene of a Mid-Lancs Cross Country League match. Best performances came from Steph Swift who had previously gained a Lancashire vest and who was second in this Junior race. June Swift and Lindsay Nadin provided good back up to win the team race. Kirsty Longley has had a phenomenal season and starting as a novice in the Senior Women she too has collected a Merseyside County vest and here was 6th in a large field. Emma Binns had another sound run(12) in the Under 15 race while Kyle Nicholls is beginning to impress(9) in the Under 13 Boys.
4 March 2007 |
More national medals for LPS
Another weekend of cascading national medals for the Liverpool Pembroke Sefton athletic club. After a stunning European Indoor 4 x 400m gold medal Phil Taylor went to the British Universities Championships at Sheffield. Dropping to 200m he still collected a personal best of 21.72 seconds and a bronze medal. However, a gold was not far away as he anchored
 Bride Helm Hesketh Forrester Loughborough University to a 4 x 400m relay win. Club mate, Mark Grimshaw, was another finalist recording a sharp sub-49 seconds 400m en route and opening up the prospect of a fine outdoor season.
At a wind swept Sunderland the club’s formidable Under 15 squad were contesting the National Cross Country Championships. Undefeated this season and with two national relay titles secured they were considered one of the favourites. However, their strong run of success came to an end when they finished third behind two powerful Southern teams. David Forrester(14), Jake Helm(15), Chris Hesketh(46) and Mike Bride(87) looked a trifle disappointed but that is only because of the very high standards they have set themselves this season. They were supported by the usual back up of Sean Dignam(131), Paul Roberts(141) and Chris Hatton(158). Arguably the best run of the day came from Andrew Bowen who was 26th in the Under 17 race and who is rounding into fine form for his summer steeplechase plans. Rob McLaughlin(145) was again in attendance. Danny Gordon(121) was a lone competitor in the Under 20 race but the club managed to complete a team at Under 13 in the shape of Kyle Nicholls(104), Adam Goldfarb(159), Matthew Scragg(210) and Will Turner(223).
Kirsty Longley continues to surprise and in finishing 103rd in the Senior Women’s race was close to getting inside the classy first 100 competitors home. Steph Swift grows in stature almost every time out and in the Under 20 race was 68th with June Swift tracking her closely at 73rd. June’s real aim is to tackle the club 800m record during the summer campaign. LPS were unable to finish a team at Under 15 but Emma Bowen(94) had a strong run followed by Emma Binns(132) and Toria Swift(157).
11 March 2007 |
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