April 2006 Results - St Helens Sutton Athletic Club

Two club records were set as the club unexpectedly beat Manx A C in a tough fixture against three of the promotion favourites. Luke Williams's long jump (5.29) replaced the previous unsubstantiated mark and the 4x100 relay team of Josie Barrow, Heather Drillingcourt, Samantha Fraser and Katie Waterworth recorded one tenth faster than the previous record of 54.3 set back in 1999.

Luke recorded two Grade 2's in each sprint, a feat matched in the under 17's by Thaddeus Anim-Somuah and in the 70m hurdles by Danielle McGifford. With a minimum of lads available the trio competed in their maximum allotted events with Ben Clough and Steve Clague providing superb entertainment in the steeplechase. Danielle was joined in the long jump by Amanda Paton, both girls only missing first places by five centimetres.

Natasha Le Surf and Lauren Sanders scored one win and two seconds in the short sprints, Kathryn Wilson ducked under three minutes for 800 in which Tricia Spark showed great spirit to run the B string before throwing a personal best in the shot putt. Natalie Bannister set two personal bests (high jump and hurdles) before contributing to the relay with Natasha, Lauren and Danielle for second place.

Ashleigh Roberts cleared 1.05 for second B after only one practice with a bar , Rose Hindley took the B string shot putt and Louise Hayes was third in her 1200 metres debut.

Amy Pilkington made a confident return to the track, Heather Drillingcourt won the B 800 and has personal bests to beat in the shot and javelin next time while Josie Barrow added the javelin to her high jump win. Samantha Fraser set personal bests in the long jump (4.49), hurdles (12.9) and shot (8.05). Heather Leyland made a winning debut in the hurdles and Jemma Shaw set a personal best 2.32.2 in the 800m. Lauren Bradshaw surprised herself with a personal best in the discus after competing in the 1500m alongside debutant Elisabeth Mousdale.

The under 13 Boys' had an excellent day, Andy Harvey and Jamie Webb achieving Grade 4's in the 800m, Jamie White setting a Grade 3 in the 1500m, Joe Williams winning the B string, while Grant Oldham won the long jump, joined with Luke James for a double hurdles victory and was able to see Luke achieve a meeting record 1.37 in the high jump.

John Ashcroft showed great club spirit by offering to do any three events he was asked (even though these changed three times in five minutes!!!!!). He was second in the 800 as was Danny Hughes who ran a personal best 2.22.8. Adam Fackey was less than two metres short of the club discus record in addition to a personal best 1500m, Jake Healy had an eventful afternoon in the hammer, shot and 1500m.

Anna Howard and Holly Keenaghan returned to sprint duty, Helen Grady set a personal best 800 metres (2.51) after debuting in the 300 hurdles alongside Jessica Cretu, both girls finishing second. Nicola Halsall made an excellent first showing in the shot putt while Jessica Drillingcourt has a host of personal bests in the throws she intends to exceed next time.

Many thanks to field officials Andy Drillingcourt, John Irwin, George Mullinuex, Mike Shaw, Mike Hughes and Colin Spark. To Dave Morley for defying his bad back to track judge and the host of people who stood in as track judges (Kevin Williams, Mike Shaw, Julia Hayes, Sean Bannister and Colin Spark). Timekeepers Pam Appleton and Frank Vose were also in attendance. Thanks to all the parents who came and supported not just their children but the club as a whole.

West Cheshire won ahead of LPS, St Helens-Sutton third and Manx fourth. We now lie ninth in the league and have a tough match against league leaders Bolton/Horwich, Deeside, who are in the top six and Altrincham whch takes place at Warrington on Sunday 21 May. Please indicate your availability as soon as possible. Results.

Gemma Connolly won the Croxteth 10k road race finishing 18th overall in a personal best 38.43, an excellent prelude to her track debut at Warrington next week. Carl Parry was the sixth overall to finish recording 36.29. At the Whitley 10k Chris Dempsey ran with her watch, Chris Dickinson ran with her soul and Karen Jarvis ran with her heart, finishing in that order - positions as yet unknown.

Emma McClatchey and Nicola Quinn opened the season in style with new junior club records in the pole vault and hammer. Emma cleared 2.60m and will go higher, while Nicola added almost ten metres to her previous best with 35.05. There was a splendid debut for Stephanie Leyland who was second in the B long jump and cleared 1.35 in the high jump before contributing to the relay. Steve Clague made a surprise debut as a 4x100 relay runner (and none was more surprised than Steve who came to do the 3000m!).

Joining Steve in the relay were short dash winners, Craig Knight, Thaddeus Anim-Somuah and Andrew McDonagh who opened his season by coming close to Wayne Joyce's long standing under 17 400m record. Steve Knowles was outstanding, coming joint first in the high jump with 1.80 and triple jumping in excess of 12 metres.

Lucy Mitchell showed boundless energy to win the long jump (4.76) and triple jump (10.18), Caroline Morley worked on her speed in the short sprints and on Vietnam for her history exams while Layla Tapley played a vital supporting role in the 100, hammer and discus.

Illness and work commitments meant the club was unable to provide officials on this occasion which moved the club from fourth to sixth and still kept them ahead of Warrington. Phil Thomas acted as team manager, Julia Hayes was on hand to help, Sue Clague brought her baby to delight all and sundry and Louise Hayes kept everyone in check. Congratulations to all who took part. Results:

Gill Laithwaite was an excellent 351st (15th Lady) in a new club record 2.45.24. Ian Hayburn was pleased with 2.54.16 (733), Gerry Kennedy was 11250 (3.58.30), Jackie Turner 4.20.22(16566) and Sue O'Hanlon 4.23.48 (17457). In the Mini-Marathon Dave Forrester finished fifth beating several of his closest rivals with a splendid run.

Julia Eccleston finished second lady in this competition, 74th overall in 43.01.

Thaddeus Anim-Somuah started two days of competition with excellent performances in winning the 100 (12.1) and finishing a very close second in the 200 23.9(2). Ian Cooney opened his account for the club with 12.4 (6) and 24.6 (7) in the senior competition. Michael Hughes competed in the shot, exceeding eight metres by 10cms in seventh place while Sam Fraser set a personal best 7.77 to win the shot, recorded 13.6 (hurdles) and was joint third in the high jump (1.50). Luke James scored a double with 1.30 and 4.12 in the high and long jump. Jamie White's 3.72 earned him fifth place in the long jump and he was sixth in the 1500 (5.09.1). Liane Bibby and Kathryn Wilson each took part in the 150 and long jump, Liane setting marks of 24.3(3) and 2.80 (4) while Kathryn's marks were 25.2(4) and 2.79(5). Liane ran the 80 in 12.7(4) and Kathryn the 800 in 3.09.5(12).

A baker's dozen of athletes travelled to Stretford for the Trafford Open Meeting on Bank Holiday Monday. Elisha Cain added the 150 to her repertoire and improved her long jump to 2.28m while Kathryn Wilson added 30cms to her personal best in the horizontal jump. Liane Bibby and Lucy Waterworth contested the 75m recording 11.6 and 12.6 respectively.

Jamie White was second in the 1000m in which Joe Williams also ran while David Griffiths recorded 10.48.8 in the 3000m and Danny Hughes narrowly failed to match Dad Michael's Wigan performance wiith 8.52 in the shot putt.

Heather Drillingcourt and Lauren Bradshaw competed in the 200, 800 and long jump while Katy Waterworth did the sprint double. Ben Fisher won his second successive javelin competition with 52.12. Emily Dickinson took the opportunity to make her debut in a variety of events including the shot.

Andy Drillingcourt and Carl Bibby were amongst the coaches present Andy collecting most the the performances (the rest will be added when known) and Heather practicing her typing skills. Results

Less than 24 hours after winning the Merseyside Fell Race Championship Louise Hogg recorded a Nelson in the Runcorn Bridge race (111th in 38.36) closely followed by Joanne and Peter Code (113/114: 38.38/38.39). Further up the field Ian Costello was 16th (30.10) with Julian Corfe (18: 30.32) and Gemma Connolly second lady home (32nd :31.02).

Jonhy Appleton (41st:33.03), Tony Roche (146:41.16), Jackie Turner (147:41.20), Pam Appleton (154:41.49), Rosie O'Hagan (175:43.13) and Tracy Gill (43.59) completed the club count. We wish Jackie well in the London Marathon and it was nice to see Rosie back in action Results

Louise Hogg became the first Merseyside Fell Running Champion when she competed at the Rivington Pike Fell Race on Easter Saturday. Louise held off a challenge from Southport's Michelle Mercer who just edged out Karen Jarvis. However, with Chris Dickinson finishing fourth, the club became the inaugural county Fell Running team champions. The girls plus Peter Johnson and Nick Green, who also took part, were cheered on by Marc Laithwaite and Gill Bacon who were at the top of the Pike. Hopefully next year we can win both the men's and the women's championships. Results

Gill Laithwaite finished her pre-London preparation by winning the ladies' race at the Salford 10k over a course that was slightly modified because of road works recording 34.14. Jake Healy won the Fun Run - and an Easter Egg - at Southport in 10.11, ten seconds ahead of his nearest rival. Others in the race included Louise Hayes (7.27:50th), Owen Kennedy (8.25: 82nd) and Gerry Kennedy (8.26:84th). In the ladies' event Julia Eccleston set another personal best finishing 22nd in 26.55, followed by Dorothy Fairhurst (35.06) and Lisa Scully (35.75)

Over 30 club members braved wintery conditions at Robin Park for an early season test of fitness. There was one club record as Steve Knowles equalled Ben Fisher's senior and junior high jump mark of 1.85, Ben himself pulling a muscle on his first jump but moving on to winning the javelin with 54.14.

There were individual wins for hurdlers Danielle McGifford (making her hurdles debut) and Caroline Morley as well as Karen Jarvis in the 1500 and 3000. Luke Williams collected first place in the 200 and Craig Knight was the first junior in the 100 and 200 competing against senior men. He was followed closely in the furlong by Steve Moran while Michael Hughes made an impressive debut in the shot putt.

High jumpers Luke James and John Ashcroft were in winning form, Luke setting a personal best 1.33 and John close to his best with 1.35 while Adam Fackey won the in 1500 with an impressive display of front running and contested the discus with Danny Hughes was ran the 800 and 200.

Josie Barrow opened her outdoor season high jump season between gusts of wind by clearing 1.50, Chelsea Jarvis collected gold and silver with 3.31 in the long jump and 2.00.9 (600). Lucy Renshall, Chelsea Jukes and Elisha Cain all contested the sprints and other events.

Lauren Bradshaw and Heather Drillingcourt mixed track and field events over 200, 800 and long jump, Katie Waterworth contesting both sprints and Amy Pilkington just one before hurting her wrist. Natasha Le Surf went home early after injuring her foot, Rose Hindley was second in the shot putt with 6.51, Louise Hayes, Liane Bibby, Lucy Waterworth and newcomer Kathryn Wilson all took part in the under 13 competitions.

Michael Causer and Ethan Lee contested the under 13 boys' races, Michael finishing fourth in the long jump (3.69) and fifth in the 100 and 200, Ethan's best result being ninth in the 800.Oliver Lee was fifth over 600 in the under 9 race. In the senior group Layla Tapley was second in the discus.

Dave Forrester won the Schools' Home Countries' International Cross Country race by three seconds recording 20.22 for the 6000m course at Stowe School, Running a typically brace race from the front Dave held off all challengers to round off a difficult season in the best possible style collecting two gold medals.

Sue O’Hanlon competed in the Coniston 14 finishing in 1.52.21 (43). The following day Liane Bibby made her under 13 debut at Stretford throwing the javelin a personal best 15.40 (thank you Ben Fisher) and recording 11.8/23.6 for the 75/150. Five club athletes competed at Warrington where Chelsea Jukes threw the cricket ball 18.31 and long jumped 3.01. Lucy Waterworth ran the 75 in 13.1, sister Katie running 14.1 for the 100, Danny Hughes recorded 14.5/30.3 100/200 and putted the shot 8.51 while Sam Fraser was third in the javelin with 18.38.

Julia Eccleston and Stan Erlam swung into action at the Spring 5 at Chester on Wednesday 5th April, Julia finishing seventh lady (142) in 35.20 and Stan winning a Phil Thomas size Tshirt (yes, they do make them that big) as first vet over 65 in an excellent 33.21.

News has also reached us that Ian Costello won the first Wirral Seaside Race of the year in 16.52 and taking some notable scalps along the way. In the ladies' race Lisa Scully was 13th (26.18) and mentor Dorothy Fairhurst 14th (26.33). These races are good sharpeners at this time of year and especially good for anyone wanting to get ready for the track.

St Helens-Sutton Road Races: 2 April 2006

April showers greeted the athletes on a day ideal for running on the club’s deceptively difficult home course. We started with the first ten in the Fun Run won by Jake Healy with Heather Drillingcourt the first girl, just behind Stan Erlam who decided to take the shorter race. Twentyseven of the 39 finishers were associated with the club including Emily Lowrie who has inherited her mother’s penchant for waving to the spectators as she comes to the finish.

The women’s race was won by Southport’s Amanda Crook who held off our team counting trio of Gemma Connolly, Julia Eccleston and Jourdan Cotter all of whom achieved substantial personal bests over the course to retain the team title. Lyn Webb and Karen Jarvis picked up two of the three veterans’ prizes.

Rob Berry (SouthportWaterloo) set a course record in winning the men’s race and Penny Lane Striders once again came up trumps in the team event. Barry Graney, Robbie Marsh and Dennis Wharton gave the club second team prize, Dennis the first over 50 veteran.

Many thanks to the officials who helped out on the day; Jim Smith (Liverpool), Leo Carroll (Wirral), Dave Morley (Sutton), Bertie Knowles and Ron Scott (Southport), Robbie Wood (LPS). The marshalls were Sean Bannister, George Mullineux, Steve Eccleston, Mr Hughes, Andy Drillingcourt, Pauline Picton, Pam Appleton, Janet Holmes, Tony Raffle, Sarah Charnock and John Irwin our indefatigable clerk of the course. Results

Inter-Area Coaching Meeting - Wigan - 1 April.

David Forrester set a new club record for the under 17, 3000m, dipping under Ian Edwards’ 1993 record by 13 seconds in finishing second to ESAA champion Simon Horsfield (East Cheshire) – an excellent run by David who has been beset by illness during the winter.