St Helens Sutton Athletic Club May 2005 Results

Walton Park 5 : Liverpool 31 May:

Five of our road runners competed in the above event led by Ian White who was sixth over 40 in 29.55 finishing 24th overall, three places ahead of Dennis Wharton (30.24 - 4th over 45). The ladies were led by Sarah Charnock (36th 31.06 - 2nd lady) with Julia Eccleston (7th lady in 34.23 - 71st overall) and Chris "How Do I get to Walton Park?" Dempsey who finished 136th in 38.58 as fourth over 40 lady. (Information and results from Julia Eccleston). Results

George Edwards Memorial Meeting: Victoria Park. Warrington 30 May.

Two new club records were set at the George Edwards Memorial Meeting. Steve Knowles finally cracked the junior men's high jump mark by clearing 1.80 while Daniel Hughes upped the U13 shot putt record to 8.27.

There were medals galore Rose Hindley picking up two sprint gold and second in the cricket ball, Chelsea Jarvis and Chelsea Jukes earned three medals between them while Andrew Hutchinson claimed two of his own in the 600 and cricket ball.

Laura Crook won three golds in two sprints and the shot, Dylan Riley equalled the u13 high jump record for the fourth time, Andrew McDonagh made an 800m debut that impressed the veteran Leigh legend, Derek Howarth, and a 200m debut that impressed Dave Morley and Joe Ehlen. The un-related James McDonagh won a sprint bronze in the under 11, 75m.

Matthew Pilling cleared 15m for second in the discus. Mike Jukes made a welcome return to competition with medals in the sprints, long jump and shot putt. Lauren Bradshaw continues to impress with her middle distance running (second in the 800m), while the Leyland sisters showed they will be a loss to this weekend's team.

Jake Healy (1500), Alex Helsby (400) each won, Vicky Davies collected medals in the high jump and Shot. Amongst the seniors Steve Mayers won the 1500m, Julia Eccleston finally broke 12 minutes for the 3000m, Chris Dickinson and Karen Jarvis slicing over a minute off their personal bests over the longer distance.

Others gaining valuable experience included Louise Hayes, Chris Whatham, Heather Drillingcourt (two fourths), Sarah Polding, Emily Dickinson, Danielle Stevenson and Jamie White. There was plenty of parental support and coaching support and Gill Bacon popped in to have a look after her regular long run in preparation for the Edinburgh Marathon. (Results collected by Julia Hayes). Results

Sale 5 :Monday 30 May:

Andy O'Connor and Andy Boyack went for a spin round the Sale 5, young Andy finishing 47th (13th over 40 vet) in 29.29 and slightly more mature Andy taking sixth over 50 in 34.47 after finishing on Nelson. (For non-cricket fans that's 111). Andy (Boyack i.e.) was trouble by tightness in the leg muscles but completed the course (Report by Andy O'Connor).

Northern Under 20 Championships : Cudworth 29 May 2nd Day

They say the best things happen in threes and it was certainly true at Cudworth. Having opened the club's gold medal account on the first day it was followed in quick succession by two more. Dave Forrester won a cracking U17 1500m in a new club best 4.00.89 quickly followed by last year's javelin bronze medallist Becky Keegan winning the gold with another club best of 25.51.

Pictures courtesy Robbie Wood.

Becky also took sixth place in the shot putt (9.24), Thaddeus Anim-Somuah was eighth in his 100m heat, Jake Healy took ninth in the under 15 1500 with 4.49.19. To round off an excellent jumping weekend Mike Ehlen collected his second medal by finishing third in the high jump with 1.70, the same as the silver medallist. A superb weekend for the club and many many congratulations to everyone:- champions, medallists and competitors for raising the club's profile. We salute you all. Results

Northern Under 20 Championships : Cudworth 28 May 1st Day

Last year Jake Davidson hung on to the under 17 triple jump bronze by a single centimetre, this year Mike Ehlen took the Under 15 triple jump gold by another single centimetre recording a personal and club best of 12.22. As far as we know this is the first Northern Under 20 gold won by a club athlete. Ben Fisher was fourth in the under 20 javelin last year. This year, despite an injured shoulder, he improved over 2004 to 53.60 just 16cms short of a second gold for the club.

Craig Knight was agonisingly close to a medal in the under 20 100 his time of 11.40, just one hundredth of a second behind the bronze medallist. Caroline Morley finished eighth in the final of the 400H battling the South Yorkshire winds to the line while Thaddeus Anim-Somuah, like Craig and Caroline a first year in his age group, was fourth in his heat of the 200 in 24.47.

Congratulations to all on our most successful first day of the Under 20 championships to date.

Dunham Massey 5k; 27 May

Back with a vengeance! Stan Erlam finished second over 60 at the Dunham Massey 5k, recording 20.33 in 90th place while Julia Eccleston celebrated her recall to the track team in 103rd position (12th lady) in 21.15. Results

National Junior League: Wigan: 22 May

On a clear day you can see forever, except in Wigan where all you can see is rain. After a magnificent afternoon the club finished third in both the men's and women's competition.

It would be unfair to single out individuals in what was a tremendous team effort, although many thought the highlight of the match was javelin thrower Ben Fisher, forsaking his own event because of injury, competing in the 3000m and still having enough energy to out sprint the first female runner at the finish!!! There was money lost on that one.

There were doubles for Craig Knight and Steve Moran in the 100, Dave Forrester and Dave Twigg in the 1500, Caroline Morley and Nicola Quinn in the 100 hurdles with individual victories for Jourdan Cotter (1500) and, on his welcome return to competition, Jake Davidson (triple jump).

The team spirit was superb with Alex Helsby volunteering to the run the 800, 400 and the 4x100, Mellissa McLoughlin competing in the 4x100 relay and Nicola Quinn, Lucy Mitchell and Layla Tapley exchanging events to score maximum points. Nothing quite surpassed the 4x400m girls' team including Nicola, Jourdan, Helen Grady and Rachael Price demanding to run the race despite the sight and sound of thunder and lightning!!!!. On the other hand the sight of dropped batons bouncing up from the track during the men's 4x100 victory ran it close.

New junior club records were set by Caroline Morley (400H), Lucy Mitchell (long jump), Nicola Quinn (hammer), Jourdan Cotter (1500), Craig Knight (a legal 11.1), Dave Forrester (U17 and U20, 1500, the former removing Ian Edwards' 1993 mark from the record book). John Appleton's steeplechase time of 7.15.9 may not be included in the scores because of over-fussy and short-sighted recorders but it certainly constitutes a new club record by more than half a minute. Tom Griffiths would have been the new 3000 record holder had he run one second faster but no doubt he'll do that next time out.

Steve Knowles and Vicky Davies all made their invaluable contribution to the final score as did club officials Dave Morley (Track), Joe Ehlen, John Irwin and George Mullineux (field) with Julia Hayes our declared timekeeper. Phil Thomas was responsible for John Appleton's non-declaration - but has a long memory - and there was plenty of parental support exemplified by Mrs Helsby postponing her other plans so Alex could take part in the relay and Mrs Fisher who was last seen providing Ben with oxygen. To all and sundry many thanks for a splendid day's entertainment. Apologies to anyone omitted, no doubt you'll let me know in the usual fashion (earmuffs please!).

Men: 1: LPS 244; 2: North Wales 229; 3: St Helens-Sutton 225; 4: SouthportWaterloo A C 218; 5: Wigan Harriers 197.5; 6: Preston Harriers 146.5; 7:Cheshire Tigers 138; 8: Warrington 127. Women: 1 North Wales 269; 2:LPS 213; 3: St Helens-Sutton 203; 4 Preston Harriers 157; 5: Cheshire Tigers 142; 6 SouthportWaterloo A C 140; 7 Warrington 135. Results.

Eight ladies completed the course this year led by seventh placed Gill Bacon in 36.56. Julia Eccleston was 42nd in 43.10, Cecilia Fitzsimons recorded 45.58 in 118th position, just ahead of Claire Newing 46.29 (135). Sue O'Hanlon 48.40 (243), Jean Dearing 54.03 (626), Janice Lawson 59.48 (1392) and Dorothy Fairhurst 60.55 also finished the course. Any other finishers should let me know as soon as possible.

A year ago the club established a record of two dozen medals at the Merseyside county Championships, including nine titles. This year that number rose by 50% to 36 medals, including ten individual titles. There would have been at least three more had the organisers not missed the under 13 girls' shot off the programme, Julia Hayes hadn't been at her sister's wedding and one or two athletes had realised the event was on a Saturday.

The gold medallists were Rebecca Keegan took three (shot, hammer, javelin), Lucy Mitchell won the long and triple jumps, Dylan Riley took the high jump, Ben Fisher, retained his junior javelin title, Laura Crook won the 150m, Mike Ehlen the high jump and Daniel Hughes the shot.

Sixteen silver medals were won including Paul Nicholas (150), John Ashcroft (800 & high jump), Grant Oldham (75 metres hurdles), John Dumbell (3000), Dylan Riley (Shot), Mike Ehlen (Pole Vault & Hammer), Thaddeus Anim-Somuah (long jump), James Farghar (3000), Steve Knowles (high jump), Joanne Sturgeon (high jump and 1200), Rachel Hutchinson (shot putt & 100) and Dave Forrester (800).

Thaddeus (200), Grant (Shot), Rachel (shot) and Laura (75) collected additional bronze medals along with Patrick McCormack, Jake Healy (150), Helen Grady (long jump), Alex Helsby (400), Elliot Baron (hurdles) and Steve Mayers (1500m)

Club records fell. Paul Nicholas removed Chris Lowe's 1994 150m record from the book, slicing two seconds off the eleven year best. Paul knocked half a second off Mike Ehlen's 75m best in the heat with 10.8 but pulled a muscle and was unable to complete the final. John Ashcroft reduced Mike Burke's three year 800m best by 1.2 secs recording 2.28.2 and being awarded the same time as the winner.

Thaddeus Anim-Somuah ran the fastest under 17 200m on record with a wind slightly above the permitted 2mph. Mike Ehlen set new pole vault and hammer bests in the under 15's, Becky Keegan improved the club's javelin best and set a championship best performance in the hammer. Steve Knowles equalled Ben Fisher's 1.75 junior men's high jump record. Which of the intrepid duo will be the first to break it?

There were splendid contributions from David Griffiths (triple jump and 100), John Appleton (1500), Drew Atherton with a personal best in the long jump, Luke James, Jamie White and Tom Green (three events each), Phil Webb (800) and Tony Raffle who surely would have won the 5000 had he entered. Heather Drillingcourt reached the 150m final, despite injury. Lauren Bradshaw was in the final of the 800 and Natalie Bannister was fourth in the hurdles.

The revised results, which include the heats, show others who competed included Natasha Le Surf and Anthony Marsh. If anyone else took part please let me know and I will include their names.

Coaches Andy Drillingcourt, Joe Ehlen, Dave Morley, Danny McLoughlin, Sue Clague, and Roseanne Hutchinson were present to encourage athletes. Phil Thomas, who was on grandson duty, was around for an hour and a half during which he noticed an abundance of parents in support. Three years ago we mustered five athletes and won one medal and have increased both in numbers and medals every year since. Long may it continue. (Report compiled, when tired, from results sheets and failing memory, by Phil Thomas). Results

Dave Twigg and Sarah Charnock each won silver medals on the opening day of the Cheshire track and field championships. On a windy day Dave finished second in the junior 1500 metres in 4.23.62 while Sarah was similarly placed in the ladies 5000m in 18.41.85. As we have no other records of a senior ladies' 5000 runner this becomes the new club record. On day two Craig Knight won the junior men's 100m in 11.32 secs, just a shade outside his existing club best but well ahead of the opposition.

Ian Hayburn and Julia Eccleston used the Christleton 5k for speed work, Ian finishing 54th in 17.02 and Julia 168th in 20.33.

Sarah Charnock took part in the Bluebell Trail 10 at Halifax on 8 May, finished 33rd and took the prize as the first lady in 81.37. As a prelude to taking part in the Cheshire 5000 metres championships Sarah ran in the Haigh Hall 5 on 11 May finishing fourth lady (69th overall) in 30.56. The day after winning her Cheshire medal on 14 May Sarah competed in the Gin Pit 5 race at Tyldsley winning the ladies' race in 31.12, jogged round the Horwich 5 in 30.04 (167: 16th Lady) on 18 May and was third lady in the Chorley race series on 20 May in 20.03. A policy of frequent racing seems to be paying off for Sarah and, while it may not suit everyone, could be beneficial to others.

An under-strength young athletes team (clashed with a few football finals!) finished third behind Manx and Blackburn at Victoria Park.

There were club records by Mike Ehlen in the U15 Hammer and Daniel Hughes in the U13 shot. In addition, Dylan Riley again equalled his U13 high jump record with 1.40m. Andrew Armson's U13 75m Hurdles time of 15.3 is a record over a new distance. There were near misses for the Under 17 4x100 team of Jason White, 100 metres winner Thaddeus Anim-Somuah, Alex Helsby and triple jump victor David Griffiths who were two tenths of a second shy of the club record with 48.7 while the under 13 squad of Drew Atherton, Patrick McCormick, Paul Nicholas and Elliott Barron were half a second from setting a new club best.

There were also wins in A or B competitions for Steve Clague( 1500), Anthony Marsh & Matthew Pilling (Discus). John Ashcroft & David T Griffiths (under 13, 1500), Vicky Davies (high jump), Rachel Hutchinson (100), Kim Bridge (200), Becky Keegan (three field events), Stephanie Leyland (high jump), Laura Crook & Jenny Hamon (shot), Lauren Bradshaw (1500), debutant Anna Powell (long jump), Paul Nicholas (100), Luke James (long jump), Nichola Gravener (hurdles), Joanne Sturgeon & Lauren Boyle (high jump).

The under 15 boys 4x 400 team of Alex Thow, John Dumbell, 1500 metres winner Jake Healy and Ben Clough were victorious as were Natasha Le Surf and Lauren Atherton who followed up individual excellence in the sprints by becoming members of the under 13 girls' team which won the 4x100.

Jason White was an integral part of a depleted under 17 team, Rachel Price, Chloe Wilson, Helen Grady and throwers Mellissa McLoughlin & Taja Rundle all contributed to the under 17 girls' cause.

There were League debuts for Jack Coulson (sprints), Adam Fackey and Alex Shaw (800), Andrew Burrows (javelin), Stuart Webster (800), Hannah Carrick (800), Jemma Shaw (800) while experienced campaigners included Sara McLoughlin (1500), Gabrielle Taylor (800) and Heather Drillingcourt.(150).

There was a lot of improvisation to meet emergencies including Josie Barrow (Discus), Stephanie Rowe (Javelin) and Alana McKenzie who changed from full going out kit to last leg runner with remarkable speed. The team finished second in the relay too!

The revised result is: 1 Manx 357.5; 2 Blackburn 349.5; 3 St Helens-Sutton 334; 4 Trafford 236. Bearing in mind our absences owing to other commitments a fuller turn out next time should see the club move up the table. The date is Sunday June 5th and the venue Bury. Make yourself available. Results

Thanks to our officials Roger McCall (Field Referee), Dave Morley & Chris Dickinson (Track Judges), John Irwin, Andy Drillingcourt, Danny McLoughlin, Carl Bibby, Roseanne Hutchinson & George Mullineux (Field), Ray Vose, Pam Appleton (Timekeepers) and Paul Forrester (Marksman). In addition thanks to the results team Chris Dempsey, Alana Dempsey, Hazel Morley and Stephanie Forrester. The team managers were Joe Ehlen and Layla Tapley. Phil Thomas did some announcing and there were many parents out in support. (Compilation by Phil Thomas).

Ben Fisher reached the final eight of the BUSA javelin final with an excellent 57.85 but tore a tendon in his arm and may be out of for six weeks. He was lying eighth with 54.45 at the time. Steve Mayers ran 1.58.97 in taking 4th place in his heat.

Julia Eccleston was 19th lady (69.56) in this strange event, the appeal of which has always appeared odd. Cecilia Fitzsimons was 34th - 2nd over 55 - (76.14). In the men's category Dennis Wharton was (44th) - seventh over 45 - in 60.33, David Bradshaw 232nd (73.02) and Tony Roche (490 - 93.19).

There are good days, bad days, days when whatever can go wrong does do and all that keeps you going is the thought "it's got to get better than this". Then drifting off to sleep after an 18 hour day you realise it wasn't as bad as you thought in the first place! For those travelling on the day (minus Greg Williams who hadn't recovered from injury) the plane was supposed to be two hours late. It then set off on time and arrived an hour late!!!

Apparently someone had hidden the Isle of Man beneath some very thick cloud and although the pilot started to land he changed his mind and did so many circuits everyone felt they'd done the 5000 metres before they landed with some showing signs of deep vein thrombosis! The hired minibus failed to turn up and Phil Robinson arrived at the splendidly cold National Sports Centre just after the start of his event (clutching his passport but that's another story!).

Phil failed to clear a height in the pole vault but managed to put in a hammer throw before going on to make his invaluable contribution in the maximum permitted number of events, ably supported, particularly in the discus, by Wayne Joyce. A slow start was quickened by splendid running from sprinters Craig Knight and Steve Moran, middle distance runners, Gill Bacon and Sarah Charnock with Lucy Mitchell scoring a long jump win and recovering her form in the triple alongside Emma McClatchey whose industry was rewarded by her equalling the junior club high jump record and setting new marks in the senior pole vault..

Pole Vaulter Peter Code added the high jump, 5000 metres (4th in the B string) and was involved in a cracking 110 hurdles race to justify his "I'm the Daddy" logo he proudly wore for his daughter. Dave Twigg battled manfully against tough opposition in the 800 and 1500, Dave Forrester learning a tough lesson in achieving a personal best in the latter. Ian Hayburn experienced life's ups and downs in a trio of hurdles races before volunteering (!), as a good captain does, to run the 5000 metres.

Nicola Quinn pulled out of the running races to concentrate on the field, taking second place in the "B" string javelin. Sue Lowrie, characteristically, showed no diminution of her speed or high jump ability while Lisa Bluett and Jourdan Cotter took on the 800 and 400, set their own standards without complaint and aim to improve over the next three matches. Caroline Morley bounced back from disappointment in the 400 hurdles to set a new club record in the high hurdles, compete in the 200 metres and take on both relays. Layla Tapley did everything that was asked of her to score valuable points for the club, teaming up with Julia Hayes for the hammer..

Phil Thomas was the team manager for most of the time, our officials were Dave Morley (track), Janet Holmes and Pam Appleton (timekeepers), Fred Bluett and George Mullineux (Field) with newly retired Ian Crompton as our floating official. Parental and family support was evident by those who were there and by the empty wallets of those who weren't! Others present included John Naylor and Jon Calder. Special thanks are due to Tony Atherton (Transport) who gladly ferried poles and lots of excited youngsters in his Subaru on many occasions.

After scrutiny of the scores the result is: 1 Trafford 417; 2 Wigan 381.5; 3 Manx 357; 4 LPS 296.5; 5 St Helens-Sutton 291; 6 Altrincham 272. This means we need a full turn out in the next match and a commitment by all athletes to contribute to the team's performance. Stretford Saturday 4 June. Be there. Results (Report by Phil Thomas)