Division 2 of the Northern Track and Field League is a lot tougher than it first appears with only six teams per match and two certain of relegation a lack of concentration can result in the drop to a very different level of competition as Liverpool Pembroke Sefton has experienced previously. It was therefore a relief to team management when so many athletes boarded the coach for the first encounter at Wakefield.
The performance on the day was characterised by numerous `double act deliveries’. For example the throws pair of Jenny Pyatt and Rachel Hutchinson combined to collect high valuable points with Jenny 1st in both Discus(39.5m) and Javelin(28.59m) plus 2nd Shot (10.16m) and B Hammer 3rd(19.20m) while Rachel was third in the A Hammer(33.80m) and the B back up 5th Discus(17.68m) 3rd Javelin(15.15m) and 3rd Shot(7.88m). The Men had a similar duo in the shape of Mark Line with A string performances of 2nd Discus(32.65m), 3rd Hammer(32.69m), 5th Javelin(36.58m) and B Shot of 9.11m, and Dave Brown. Dave’s A Shot was marginally better at 9.90m but he also won the B Discus with 31.44m, second in the Hammer(28.80m) and magnificent with a second string win in the Javelin with 35.76m.
The throwers were a point gathering machine but were not alone, the jumpers were enjoying themselves. Martha Simms was a delightful surprise winner of the Long Jump(4.89m) with Grace Mitchell second in her event(4.52m). They both Triple Jumped equally happily with Martha second(10.10m) and Grace winning her event with 9.83m. At High Jump Niamh Doyle recorded 1.50m for third and Martha reappeared also to take a third as well (1.15m). Their male counterparts Jamie Hopkins and Tom Kwissa had a splendid double win in the Triple, Jamie on 12.34m and Tom 11.81m. Jamie Long Jumped 5.60m for third and Owen Southern B first with 5.34m. Tom was second in the High Jump(1.85m) and another second with 1.75m. Elsewhere Jamie and Mark Line both put in nominal performances of 2.80m in the Pole Vault but still essential points.
The field eventers were pulling their weight and it was now down to the runners. The Women were crucially short here with only plucky Lucy Le-Marinel 5th in both the A 100m(14.1) and 200m(29.4) but only partnered by Milli Rogers in the latter, third in 28.6. Yawning gaps at 400m, 800m and Hurdles followed but hopes were revived as Vicky Jones and Debbie Campbell appeared for the 1500m and 3000m. Over the metric mile Vicky(3rd) bettered Debbie(2nd B) 5.26.5 to 5.32.2 and at 3000m (2nd A with 11.04.4 to first B 11.10.3. A combination of Grace, Lucy, Milli and Martha produced a thrilling second place in 53.90 in the 4 x 100m to raise spirits with a 4 x 400m combination collecting fourth.
The male sprinters continue to serve the club well. Danny Higham(11.5) and Harry Doran(11.9) both collected thirds in their 100m races while Harry(23.5) combined with Owen Southern(23.8) for fourth and second at 200m. There was a familiar double victory at 400m in the shape of Danny Higham(50.2) and Luke Edwards(51.2) while Luke was untroubled at 800m(1.57.7). Matt Thompson backed up fourth in 2.15.7. Strong runs came from Chris Maher(3rd in 4.07.4 and Ross Harrison(2nd in 4.16.8) at 1500m and Mike Gall(2nd with 11.31.4) at 3K Steeplechase. Stalwart Sammy Rashid was fourth in the 5K(18.21.1) and Phil McDonald also fourth in his group((18.34.6).
As the meeting drew to a close the relay the men`s teams were both third the 4 x 100m squad(Kwissa, Southern, Edwards, Doran) recording 46,3 and the 4 x 400m contingent 3.32.68. Shortly afterwards the match result was announced 1. Sale 2. Holmfirth 3, LPS 4.Bingley 5. Spenborough 6 Wirral. A comfortable position on the day in spite of worrying gaps but cetainly nothing to be complacent about.
Late results from the BMC Meeting at Manchester…800m Luke Edwards 1.52.10 Harry Doran 1.53.21 1500m Rosie Johnson 4.20.6 2K Steeple Chase Adam Jones 6.14.57
Charles Gains
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