June 2008

Wavertree NJAL: 29 June

Samantha Fraser set two new junior club records shot putting 9.09 and high jumping 1.56. Steve Clague won the steeplechase, Thaddeus Anim-Somuah the 100 and Amyrose Talbot the 1500m. Steve also threw the hammer (21.75) and took second place in the 400H. Danny Hughes and Jake Healy had a classic battle in the 800m, Mike Corcoran was impressive in the A string 200 and Ryan Fahey had a fruitful day out in the rain. The club beat SouthportWaterloo again and anticipate a good turn out at Connahs Quay at the end of July. Sue Clague was team manager, while Sue, John Irwin, Janet Holmes and George "straight off nights" Mullineux were the field event officials and Neville Jones acted as timekeeper.

Results Male   Results Female

The previous day Liane Bibby had guested at the Mid Lancs League fixture in Bolton winning the javelin with a throw of 29.04 and also contesting the discus (15.70). On a cold and miserable day on Sunday Sophie Rigby enjoyed her first pentathlon, finishing fourteenth in the Regional Round of the ESAA held at Bebington, scoring 2165 points for a personal best. Phil Thomas acted as club representative.

Representative Honours: Super Six Success:

Dave Forrester, (seen here with Dame Kelly Holmes, Dave's the one on the right with the slightly shorter hair!) has been selected to represent Great Britain in the World Junior Championships in Poland next month. Tom Green, Sophie Rigby, Liane Bibby and Kathryn Sumner will represent Merseyside at the ESAA Championships scheduled for 11/12 July at Gateshead, while Samantha Fraser will be at the same venue representing Cheshire in the high jump. Congratulations to all of them.

Child Protection Policy

The club operates a vigorous child protection policy. This includes the exclusion on training nights of anyone not connected with the club, including spectators where appropriate. No photography is permitted unless authorised. In the event any club member wishes to be photographed during a training session, permission must be obtained from the chairman and/or secretary in advance for a photographer to attend. The exclusion of photographs includes pictures taken on mobile phones. Regrettably, these measures are necessary to protect younger club members.

Ladies' Captain:

Sue Clague has temporarily taken over as ladies' cross country captain in succession to Julia Eccleston who has found it increasingly difficult to attend training because of her new job which involves more difficult hours. Julia is hopeful the club can increase its numbers at road races where she has often been the club's sole competitor. The next such race is the Forest Ladies' 5 which is being held on Wednesday 2 July. Sue is currently consulting with the senior ladies about a racing programme for the coming months.

Health & Safety:

Health and Safety procedures must be applied at all times. Mobile phones must not be used during training for any purpose whatsoever. They are a distraction and may lead to an accident. All coaches have been authorised to act appropriately.

Young Athletes League Rotherham 22 June

We don't know the full results from Rotherham where the afternoon was characterised by a swirling wind but first indications are that Kathryn Sumner broke the U17 hammer record, Lucy Croft, the discus record, John Ashcroft may have equalled the U17 400m hurdles record, Chloe Rigby set a pb 1.33 in the high jump and we had a double first in the U13 shot with Lauren Pike and Chelsea Jukes both getting over 6 metres. Phil Thomas argued with the track referee, Mike Hughes with the field referee, Natasha Le Surf with Tom Green's spikes and Lauren Bradshaw brooks no argument when she determines the running order in the relay.

There's lots of other information to follow just as soon as the results are received but a special thanks to those people who made the journey (92miles via the Motorway, 66 via the A road), especially those who took other people. A real special thanks too for those who officiated, John Irwin and Dave Green (timekeepers), Julia Hayes, Kay Wilcock, Karen Jarvis, Jane Ashcroft (track judges) and on the field Colin Spark, Steve Rigby, Andy Drillingcourt, Michael Hughes, Anthony Lamb, Mike Shaw. Carl Bibby was the team manager and coped well with the missing bodies but we can't afford anyone missing for the final match in Carlisle, details to follow as soon as possible.

Under 20's National Championships and World Junior Trials. Bedford 21/22 June

David Forrester proved his racing skills by winning tactical races in his heat (4.11) and in the final (4.12.99) to win the National Trial for the World Junior Championships. Having already achieved the required standard David should compete in the World event which take place at Bydgosszcz , Poland in July.

BMC Elite Race: Watford 14 June

David Forrester achieved the World Junior qualifying standard (3.44) when he recorded 3.41.6 in the Nike Elite meeting at Watford. David also smashed the previous BMC Junior record, the club senior record and the club junior record for the distance and is less than three seconds short of an Olympic qualifying standard. However, David's target for the season is the World Juniors in Poland in July, the Olympics can wait. Hopefully others will be inspired to work hard and build on a year by year progression. Thanks to Rob Stiffin for the photos. Results

        
    Race Video

County Schools' Championships. Merseyside (Wavertree), Cheshire (Macclesfield) 14 June

A number of athletes clinched their places for the ESAA Championships with excellent performances at the County Schools' event. At Macclesfield Samantha Fraser cleared 1.55 but has already achieved the qualifying standard of 1.62 with her 1.65 at Wigan in the Northern League so should be selected.

High jumping colleague, Sophie Rigby, maintained her stranglehold over the Merseyside opposition with a win of 1.53 but has already achieved the qualifying standard having cleared 1.55 when winning the Merseyside Clubs' championship. As Merseyside are not taking part in the Mason Trophy this year other events are being taken into account.

Liane Bibby left nothing to chance breaking the club U15 javelin record again with 31.79, almost reaching the National standard. Chelsea Jarvis is not eligible for the ESAA event this year but broke the club U13 800 club record (2.19.1) to state her intention for 2009.

Tom Green's 11.9 was one tenth of a second short of the qualifying standard but equalled Sean Harrison's long standing club record and while some winners are unlikely to be selected this year the magnificent performances of Jamie White (1500m) and Patricia Spark (shot putt) weren't unnoticed, Patricia adding second place in the discus. Steve Clague finished his schools' career with wins in the 400 hurdles and steeplechase.

Dani McGifford was third in the hurdles and long jump, John Ashcroft second in the 1500m with Michael Causer (long jump) and Lauren Bradshaw earning bronze.

Top six places were recorded by Heather Drillingcourt (100), Jemma Shaw and Natalie Garrity in a splendidly fought 800, Chris Garrity (1500 & long jump), Jake Healy (1500) and Jamie Webb (800).

Other finalists included Jenny Lamb (200), Rachel Wilcock (800), Vicky Lamb (1200), Ryan Fahey (100), Danny Hughes (800), Jake Healy (1500),  Keiron Fahey (200), David T Griffiths (800) while Amanda Paton was unlucky having to pull out with injury after her 100m heat.

There was solid support from team manager on the day Carl Bibby, Colin Spark, Andy Drillingcourt, Phil Thomas, Committee member Susan Clague and a host of parents who were out in force, including Karen Jarvis who had competed in the Dunham Massey 5k the previous night recording 20.53 in 83rd place. Results:

Committee Notes:

At the recent Committee Meeting it was decided on responses received from members that the system of allocating places for the London Marathon would remain the same. Enquiries about places and criteria should be directed to Barry Graney.

It was noted that John Irwin, Julia Hayes, Colin Sparks, Joanna Bebbington, Louise Hayes and Tricia Sparks had spent two full days repainting the clubhouse during the school holidays. Please respect their time, effort and work by ensuring it is kept clean and tidy at all times.

Northern League - Cleckheaton - 7 June

The Committee was in fine form at Cleckheaton, Sue Clague setting personal bests in the discus and javelin, Chris Dempsey making her hammer debut, Pam Appleton coming off the stand to run the 3000, with team captain, Sue Lowrie, contesting her maximum number of events. It was not our strongest turnout but we were able to grab fifth and are fourth overall in the League.

Ray Vose, gracefully accepted second string to second placed Steve Clague in the 400m hurdles before joining with the ubiquitous Phil Robinson for a high hurdles whitewash and Barry Graney to contest the 5000m.

They were supplemented by the next generation who included Jemma Shaw, rapidly emerging as our number  800 runner with good speed over the 200 and 400 too, Lauren Bradshaw, Miss "team first" herself and Lucy "you name it I'll throw it" Croft. Gemma Connolly provided the middle distance glue to hold it all together.

Steve Moran (accompanied by the beautiful Emma) and Matthew Stone provided sold sprints' points as did Ryan Fahey before injuring his back. Dave Forrester put in some speed work over 400 in preparation for next week's bid for a place in the World Juniors at the Watford BMC meeting. Ian Costello (when we were finally able to locate him) proved his worth with a win in the B 1500m and a leg of the 4x100. Ian Hayburn battled round the steeplechase.

Michael Hughes was consisted throughout, gaining third in the hammer while Jake Healy, having missed the triple jump, ran superbly for third in the 1500.

Phil Thomas, with help from Sue Lowrie and Sue Clague, was team manager and our field officials were Colin Sparks, Chris Dempsey, Sue Clague, Sue Lowrie and Steve Clague, timekeepers Pam Appleton and Janet "Fractured Toe" Holmes and our trackstand judge was, at various times (Ian Hayburn, Chris Dempsey, Frank Vose, Emma and Phil Thomas with not a moment lost between them - and Mike Shaw on standby). It was a good day for club spirit and involvement.

Final points score Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde 380; Holmfirth 371; East Cheshire 321; Spenborough 298; St Helens-Sutton 286, Wigan 272. League positions Blackpool 12; Holmfirth 9; East Cheshire 9; St Helens-Sutton 5 (623); Spenborough 5 (606.5) Wigan/Horwich 2.

Hopefully for the next match on Sunday 6 July at Halifax our injured athletes will be back, exams will have finished and we can secure our position by finishing in the top three. Results:

Miscellaneous Track and Road

At the Stretford Grand Prix on 3 June Dave Forrester won the BMC 1500 in 3.47.52, three days after setting a club record 3.47.26 at Sport City. In the heats Jake Healy zoomed round in 4.22.83 (5th) while Dave Twigg made a welcome return to racing with 4.47.09 and Gemma Connolly broke five minutes for the first time with 4.59.1.

The following evening Louise Hayes was seventeenth in the 2.6k race run as part of the Birkenhead Five in 11.19. The day after five club members competed at the Bowden 5k Ian Costello - 38th 17.33), Julia Eccleston (119 - 20.17), Stan Erlam (143 - 21.24), Christine Dickinson (181 - 22.56) and Chris Dempsey (212 - 24.50).

Young Athletes League 1st July - Macclesfield

The Young Athletes produced an excellent performance behind high fliers Macclesfield and Warrington to finish third ahead of Ribble Valley at a showery Macclesfield. It was a case of everyone mucking it for the team and the U17's were excellent. Heather Drillingcourt and Lauren Bradshaw won the 200's, Jemma Shaw and Natalie Garrity the 800s and Samantha Fraser the shot putt. With Sam jet lagged the other four combined to become the first St Helens-Sutton quartet to win the 4 x 300, setting a club record (3.08.6) in the process.

The club's U17 quartet of Jake Healy, Ryan Fahey, Danny Hughes and David T Griffiths didn't win the 4x400 but set a new club record 3.56.8. The trio of U15 Boys performed magnificently Kieron Fahey and Jamie White taking second places in the long jump (Jamie also achieving a personal best in the 1500) while Michael Causer similarly placed in the shot putt and javelin.

Sophie Rigby produced a long and high jump double, Tricia Spark won the discus, shot and javelin, Jenny Lamb contested the 100 and long jump, Louise Hayes took the B string 1500 and javelin, all four combing to pull off a stunning victory in the 4x100. Rachel Wilcock chipped in with a 200 and 1500, Joanna Bebbington won the B 800 and high jump while Natalie Bannister won the B shot and Becky O'Brien the B discus.

The U13 girls were excellent, Chelsea Jarvis setting a club record 3.52.2 for the 1200, Rachel Woosey winning the B string in a personal best 4.29.2, both winning the 150 too. Vicky Lamb won the B 800, Bethany Baxter setting a pb in the A string. Chloe Rigby was busy all afternoon, recording a 1.25 high jump and 3.87 long jump, Chelsea Jukes contesting the shot (second 5.80) and joining Rachel, Bethany and Chloe in the relay.

The U13 Boys produced some surprises T T Caton-Hand and Mike Griffiths proving to be excellent hurdlers, Luke McDonald winning the B long jump, Chris Garrity setting pb's in the 1500 and shot, Matthew Atherton running a superb 800 and combining with TT, Mike and Chris in the 4x100.

The final scores were Macclesfield 426; Warrington 383; St Helens-Sutton 261 and Ribble Valley 219 which moves us a further point clear of Ribble Valley in the table. Results