Trafford Medal Meeting 27 August

Seventeen club athletes competed at Trafford and came away with a dozen top three placings.  John Ashcroft (1.50 HJ), Dannielle McGifford (12.0 - 70m H), Liane Bibby (16.45 - javelin), Chelsea Jarvis (1.43.1 - 600m) and Katie McGifford (9.45. TJ) were all winners.

Ryan Fahey (12.6 - 100m), Sophie Rigby (1.40 - HJ), Danny Hughes (9.07 -Shot) and Samantha Fraser (12.5 -75H and 4.83 -LJ) collected silver medals, while Chloe Rigby (75m 11.6) and Danny Hughes (60.8) were bronze medal winners.

For the U11 Boys Daniel Eastwood and Shawn Davies recorded (3.19/2.90 - LJ), equal 28.9 (150) while Shawn added 2.04.8 for the 600m. Keiron Fahey represented the U13's recording 11 secs -75m, 3.91 LJ and 21.0 - 150m.

In the U13 girls' 75m Amanda Paton (11.1), Liane Bibby (11.4), Lucy Rensahll (12.3) sharpened up for the forthcoming relays, Lucy also recording 14.9 (70m H) and a 1.15 high jump. Danielle long jumped 3.80 and Amanda 3.45 while Chelsea ran 21.0 for the 150m.

Heather Drillingcourt and Samantha competed in the javelin (13.05/14.44), Heather adding the shot putt (5.83) and 800m 2.39.9. Sophie leapt 4.46 while Emily Dickinson contested both the discus (12.58) and 800 (3.19.3). Results & Information from Carl Bibby & Andy Drillingcourt.

Northern Inter-Counties Championships - Hull - 26 August

Phil Robinson received a last minute call up for Merseyside and responded in fine style with a 30.72 (discus), 9.61 (shot) before walking over to the hammer where the Merseyside athlete had failed to appear and put one in at 23.48. Jake Healy was another late call up finishing eighth in 2.11.32 over the unfamiliar 800m distance.

Thaddeus Anim-Somuah was third in the 200m in 23.21 but had to jog through the line in the 100m after pulling up with a hamstring injury (13.06) - still faster than most of us can run!. Steve Clague was seventh in the 400m hurdles (69.32) having clattered one of them on his way round.

Samantha Fraser represented Cheshire finishing second in the hurdles (12.5), third in the high jump (1.55) and fourth in the shot (10.27) in which Lucy Croft, making her Merseyside debut, was seventh with 8.84.

Sue Clague was the County women's team manager.

Birchwood 10k Warrington 19 August

Ian Costello (32) led the club's effort at the Birchwood 10k, followed by the improving Matt Shillabeer (71), Paul Burgess (142) and Anthony Gaskell (323). Gemma Connolly and Julia Eccleston jogged round together in 47.25 (381/2) while other finishers included Rob Stiffin and Tommy Dunning, who were separated by six seconds (422 and 428) while Dorothy Fairhurst(711) beat the hour mark by thirty seconds. Results

Warrington Open Meeting : Victoria Park 19 August

There were medals galore at the Terry Davies Memorial Meeting as the club's members chose this event rather than the Arnold Seddon competition at Wigan where the performances were of an inferior quality. We may have missed a number of performances which I'm sure will be drawn to our attention once they've been read.

Tricia Spark set a club record 18.64 in the U13 Girls' hammer, an event in which debutants Rachel Harrison (22.19) and Sam Fraser (19.46) finished second and third in the U17 and U15 competitions while Natalie Mullineux recorded 25.18 for second place in the senior competition. With Julia Hayes throwing 20.34 the club had a record five hammer throwers competing at the same time.

On the track there were victories for Danny Hughes (60.4) in the 400m, Chelsea Jarvis in the 1500 high jumper Sophie Rigby, with a range of medals for Danielle McGifford, Lucy Renshall, Daniel Elston, Rose Hindley, Chloe Rigby, Amanda Paton, Katie McGifford, Michael Causer, Sophie Rigby, Jenny Lamb and Heather Drillingcourt.

Others taking part included Jonathan Causer, with two fourth places(!), Rosie Johnson, Rachel Woosey, Amy Ellis, Lara Mason, Louise Hayes and Emily Dickinson. Please let me know if your name's not been recorded. We are currently compiling a list of all the results we have and these will be added shortly together with an expanded report.

Fell Running - Darwen Summer Gala Fell Race 18 August

Sarah Charnock won the first ladies' prize when she finished 20th in the Darwen Summer Gala Fell race recording a time of 29.08. Members may wish to note that the club is  now directly affiliated to EA for Fell Running.

Road Running Miscellaneous.

Gill Laithwaite was first lady home in the Ulverston Summer 10k on August 15th, recording 36.15 and taking fifteenth spot in the combined race. Meanwhile, it was comeback time for David Bradshaw and Cecilia Schroder at the Debdale Park 7k in Manchester, David  recording 32.44 and Cecilia 38.04 to take 69th and 103rd places respectively.

Sutton-St Helens Road Races and Fun Run 2 September

Owing to unforeseen circumstances the above event has had to be cancelled this year. Race Secretary, Ian Hayburn, will be refunding entry fees to all entrants as soon as possible.

Cheshire League - Connahs Quay - 12 August

A select group of highly talented athletes competed in the final Cheshire League match of the season (the last one clashes with our own promotion on September 2nd).

John Ashcroft, Danny Hughes and Jamie Webb all won their respective 1500m races, making team selection for the forthcoming road relays an unenviable job, while Jenny Lamb made her shot putt debut gaining second place.

Danielle McGifford was injured on the long jump but bravely did a relay, Liane Bibby (closely followed by Tricia Spark) won the javelin. Louise Hayes and Vicky Lamb joining the latter two in the relay.

Bethany Baxter won the 75 and 600m races, brother Callum taking second place in the javelin. Danielle Webb won the B 800m, Andy Harvey winning the Under 13 boys' two lap race and taking second place in the high jump. Rachel Woosey won the B 100 and long jump in which Katie McGifford took second place.

Michael Hughes was second in the men's shot while Julia Hayes enjoyed her final outing as Cheshire League team manager by throwing the discus. Next year's possible team managers have been approached but anyone interested in serving the club in this capacity can contact Phil Thomas.

RESULT: Men: 1 West Cheshire AC 167 points; 2 Deeside AAC 157; 3 Sutton St Helens 54; 4 Vale Royal 50; 5 Manchester 46; 6 Handforth 26. Ladies: 1 Deeside AAC 158.5; 2 West Cheshire 122.5; 3 Manchester 64; 4 Sutton St Helens 60.5; 5 Vale Royal 51.5; 6 Handforth 16. U11 Girls: 1 West Cheshire AC 59.5; 2 Sutton St Helens 31.5; 3 Deeside 24; 4 Handforth 18. U11 Boys: 1 West Cheshire AC 46; 2 Deeside 42; 3 Vale Royal 36; 4 Manchester 27; 5 Sutton St Helens 25; 6 Handforth 18. Results

UK : U15 Championships - Sheffield 12 August 2007

Samantha Fraser set a new club record 11.09m in the shot putt in winning the bronze medal at the National Under 15 Championships. The silver medal was won with 11.10m!!! Earlier Samantha had long jumped 4.72 and completed her day by taking part in the high jump. This made up for the disappointment of learning that Cheshire were not sending a team to the Northern Inter-Counties at the end of the month.

Northern League - Warrington 5 August 2007

For the second time in a fortnight the club faced a critical relegation match and for the second time in a fortnight avoided the drop by getting a good turn out of available athletes on the day willing to do whatever was necessary for the cause. There must be a lesson in there somewhere.

They included Josie Barrow who came to clear one height in the high jump, Emma McClatchey, who opened the afternoon with a well deserved club record in the pole vault, and completed her maximum event quota with a cheery smile having asked for the day off from her very first Sunday at her new weekend job. That was a smile wasn't it Emma???!!!

They included Peter Code who didn't score in the triple jump but was prepared to have a go even though he was ready to cycle home at the time he was asked. Christine Dickinson, Louise Hogg and Ian Costello are no sprinters but they ran to their maximumover the shorter distances in the absence of others. In Ian's case not only did he step up to 5000m he produced a superb sprint finish as well - overtaking Barry Graney in the last 50 metres for our best pair of 5k performances of the season.

Ray Vose, Greg Williams and John Appleton all went over hurdles of different varieties, Greg also running the middle distance in support of Dave Forrester who turned out for the club less than 48 hours after his superb win at Crystal Palace. Jake Healy chipped in with long jump, 200 and 400m runs, the latter particularly impressive creating optimism for the future. Amy Pilkington's second place in the 200m indicates youngsters coming through to challenge new challenges next season.

Phil Robinson was in good form and has found a solid throwing partner in Michael Hughes who raised the level of our B string hammer throwing a notch and will be working hard on all aspects of the throws in the coming winter. Natalie Mullineux played a similar role for the ladies team and can look forward to good support from youngsters coming through in 2008.

Julia Hayes was over 21 metres in the hammer B event and also contested the shot. Holly Keenaghan led the team in the jumps until she was laid low by sunstroke (a parasol is already on order for next season). Steve Moran played his dual role as high jumper cum sprinter, alongside Matthew Stone who was disappointed with his individual performance but played an important part in the relays.

Julia Eccleston played  a captain's part alongside the determined Sarah Charnock and Gemma Connolly who scored good points in the middle distance races while both our ladies' relays were determined to finish.

The final scores were Bolton 426.5; Manx 356; LPS 332.5; West Cheshire 325.5; St Helens-Sutton 291; Stockport 366.5; leaving the League positions as Bolton 24; LPS 15; West Cheshire 14; St Helens-Sutton 12; Manx 11; Stockport 9.

Credit to everyone who helped today Dave Morley who stepped in as referee when Sue Makin was too unwell to attend, timekeepers Pam Appleton and Janet Holmes; Field Referee, Roger McCall, Field Judge John Irwin and helpers Samantha Fraser, Clare Fraser, Natalie Bannister, Michael Hughes, Eleanor Reynolds and Lol Jarvis who was standing still when help was required (always an error at home matches!)

Stephanie Forrester recorded all afternoon making only two mistakes - the first of which was volunteering to do the recording. Phil Thomas organised (?) the match and used the microphone (announcing is too precise a word) while Paul Forrester joined John Irwin in dispensing drinks and food to officials.

It was also good to see support from Karen Jarvis and Andy McDonagh, who though injured and unable to compete, came to provide vocal and moral support, as did Eleanor Reynolds whose writing skills were immediately put to use as a field judge.

The post event analysis has identified areas of weakness and with the combined Lancaster/Kendal outfit and SWAC likely to replace Manx and Stockport next season nothing can be left to chance. Preparation starts now. Results

Crystal Palace Meeting 3 August

Dave Forrester competed in the Under 20 development 3000 at Crystal Palace on Friday 3 August winning in a club record 8.31.66.