Track Meetings: Trafford and Sale.

Unfortunately, information from these two meetings came at a time when I was unwell and unable to publish them immediately. My apologies for any gaps in the report, which was based on information provided by Carl Bibby and Bob Johnson, neither of whom should be blamed for any errors made which are entirely mine.

At Trafford, Rosie Johnson won the 600 in 1.56.6 recording 3.05 (long jump) and 24 secs (150). At Sale, Rosie won the 800 on a cinder track in 2.47.7.

At Trafford, three U11 Boys were in action Jamie Dinnar winning three gold with 12.38 (discus), 5.15(shot) and 18.97 (javelin). Daniel Elston recorded 1.55.4(600), 24.1 (150) and 3.52(long jump) while Ben Hayburn 's figures were 1.87 (long jump), 14.3(100) and 29 (150).

Chelsea Jukes ran 12.1(75), long jumped 3.79) and recorded 59 for an event of which I've lost details! Sally Ashton was stung by a wasp but recorded 12.9(75), 2.05.6 (600) and 9.30 (javelin) while Shelby Jack's figures were 11.3 (75), 22.7(150) and 3.73 (long jump).

For the U15's Chelsea Jarvis ran the 600 in 1.40.1, Liane Bibby threw the javelin 3.032, ran 14.2 (100) and threw the discus (16.42). Louise Hayes competed in the javelin (13.53) and 800 (3.05.7).

Multi-Event Competition - Sports City 23/24 August

Phil Robinson lies seventh with 2499 points after day one of the Open Multi-Events competition at Sports City. He is also listed as first in the Merseyside competition despite the fact that Merseyside County AA did not inform member clubs that the County event was supposed to be taking place. Apparently, the Olympics in 2012 have been moved to Iceland but the Icelanders and Olympic Committee don't intend telling anyone.....

Northern Inter-Counties Championships - Hull 23 August

Seven club athletes represented Merseyside with distinction in the Northern Inter-Counties Championships at Hull. Kathryn Sumner headed for next weeks' Schools Games with a personal best 34.37 for fourth place in the hammer. Sophie Rigby equalled her best in the high jump (1.60) and extended her long jump mark to 4.83, taking two second places.  Liane Bibby was close to her personal best (31.42) for third in the javelin. There were a spate of fourth places for Tricia Spark (8.35 - shot), Lucy Croft (24.61 - discus) and Josie Barrow (1.50 - high jump), Josie also clearing 2m in the pole vault for fifth.  Jamie White interrupted his holidays to finish fourth in the 1500m in 4.28.51 with a personal best by five seconds.

Terry Davies Memorial Meeting Warrington 17 August

Over two dozen athletes attended this popular meeting. Mike Hughes won the shot (8.65) and discus (24.13), Chelsea Jarvis the 1500 (5.08.2) and long jump (4.35) while Sophie Rigby cleared 1.60 in the high jump and won bronze in the hurdles (13.0). Ben Walsh threw the javelin 15.99 for first place, David Griffiths won the 3000 in 10.34.8, John Ashcroft reduced his 800 time to 2.03, Daniel Elston taking the 600 (1.57.4) and finishing second in the long jump (3.45).

Danny Hughes picked up two silvers (800 - 2.12 & 400 58.1) as did Tricia Spark (8.58 shot & 18.36 discus), Ben Oldham took a silver and two bronze (150 26.6 : 75 13.1 & 600 2.11.3) while Jamie Webb won silver in the 1500 in 4.55, Lauren Rigby was second in the javelin (18.17). Bronze medallists included T T Caton-Hand (Shot 5.12), Rosie Johnson (600 - 1.57.8), Chloe Rigby (high jump 1.25) and Owen Kennedy in the 600 (2.03) &  long jump (3.30).

Rachael Woosey contested the 75, 150 and long jump, Chris Garrity recorded 2.45.2 in the 800, Joanna Bebington tried the long and high jump, Becky O'Brien (shot & long jump) and Natalie Garrity returned to competition after her holidays. Under 11's in action included Dannielle Webb, Lucy Griffiths, Adam Woosey, Jamie Dinnarr and Jack Griffiths, making his club debut.

Colin Spark did a splendid job of collecting the results, which should be posted on the club notice board shortly, finally arriving home at 8.45.p.m.

Results

Litherland Relays (including Merseyside Championships) 16 August

Louise Hayes, Liane Bibby, Sophie Rigby and Tricia Spark competed in the U15 girls 4 x 100m Relay winning in a time of 57s to become 2008 Merseyside County Relay Champions.

Liane and Sophie also contested the Javelin, Liane winning with 30.12m while Sophie, competing in this event for the first time, threw an excellent 17.17m to claim the bronze medal.

Report by Carl Bibby.
 

Cheshire League Bebington 10 August

The club produced a trio of superb results finishing third in the men's women's and U11 competitions at Bebington Oval.

Lucy Griffiths and Amy Saunders represented the U11's, Amy taking second place in the turbo javelin and Lucy coming home as our first runner in the 600. For the Boys Jamie Dinarr won the turbo javelin, while Daniel Elston, Adam Woosey and Jonathan Causer all scored maximum points in the 600m race, combining with Jamie to finish second in the relay in 64.6.

There were six U13's split evenly between the Girls and the Boys. Beverley Baxter won the javelin while Chloe Rigby and Rachel Woosey were each third in the long jump. For the Boys there were victories for Matthew Atherton and Chris Garrity in the 800 while T T Caton-Hand cleared 1.28 in the high jump.

Sophie Rigby set a personal best 1.58 in the U15 high jump, Tricia Spark and Liane Bibby provided a double first in the shot putt, Rachel Wilcock won her heat of the 100m while Louise Hayes joined Sophie, Tricia and Liane for second place in the relay in 55.4. For the lads Jamie White was victorious in the 1500m and Michael Causer second in the long jump

Josiah Teepsoo demonstrated his versatility with a 1.50 high jump in the U17's, Danny Hughes was first home in the 800m and David Griffiths threw 23.10 in the javelin. Michael Hughes was over nine metres in the shot putt while Steve Clague ran 10.36.9 in the 3000, 4.2 seconds faster than Gemma Connolly. Sue Clague continued to lead from the front with a pb 14.63 in the discus closely followed by Julia Hayes 12.26m. Both declined the chance to compete in the sprints, saving that for another day. 

Results

AAA U15 Championships - Birmingham 9 August

Liane Bibby and Tom Green contested the National U15 championships at Birmingham. Liane finished ninth, just a metre short of qualifying for the final three throws while Tom was fifth in his heat of the 100m recording 12.21.

Results : -  Javelin  100m

Northern Track and Field League - Stanley Park, Blackpool 3 August 2008

The wide open spaces of Stanley Park echoed to the sound of the music from The Great Escape when the senior team produced one of the finest displays in its history to retain a place in division two by the slenderest of margins. The task was a huge one. We needed to finish no lower than second, at least two places in front of Spenborough and one place in front of Wigan if we were to avoid the drop to division three from whence we emerged three seasons ago.

There was no panic, even with the traditional "no shows" - some notified, others not - as those who were fit and able to move did so in style. We had a new club in record as Steve Clague increased the junior pole vault record to 2.30m winning the B string as Phil Robinson took the A with 3.20m. Phil won the B high jump as Rob Brocklebank returned to competition after six years absence to clear 1.90 to win the A, before dashing off to the 110m hurdles to win the B string in support of Phil taking second in the A.

Ray Vose stepped in at the last minute to cover the hurdles and steeplechase while debutant Michelle Moran contested the 100m, high jump and 4x100m the latter in harmony with Natalie Mullineux who ignored injury to take second place in the hammer and third in the shot while the ubiquitous Lauren Bradshaw took a third and a second over the long and short hurdles.

Sprinter Matthew Stone showed the right spirit by offering to do the steeplechase but took up the 100m for second place and was part of the relay teams which finished with a flourish taking second place in the 4x100 and a magnificent first in the 4x400.

Gemma Connolly was outstanding earning a brilliant victory in the 3000m and taking second place in the 1500, supported in both cases by Helen Whitley who added crucial points in the javelin before dashing back home for evening church, having already attended prior to the match. Many thanks to Helen and to Ian Hayburn who provided the transport.

Josie Barrow made her debut as a high hurdler and 4x400m relay runner in between pole vaulting and clearing 1.53 in the high jump. Lucy Mitchell offered to compete in the long and triple jump scoring crucial points in each while Heather Drillingcourt undertook an intensive trio of events in quick succession being rewarded with a personal best 9.28 in the triple jump. Lucy Croft earned two seconds and a third in the throws and provided much sunshine during the day.

David Forrester, winding down after a long season, won the 800 from the front before showing real quality in beating National 3000m champion Simon Horsfield with a finely judged sprint finish over 1500m. Taking over from Steve Moran, David then opened up a gap which Steve Clague maintained superbly before Matthew Stone raced home for the club's first 4x400m victory since....well no-one can remember when.

Ian Costello has been an inspiration all season, taking second place in the 800m and contesting the 5000m alongside Barry Graney. John Appleton showed real courage in competing in the steeplechase and 1500 in place of the unavailable Steve Mayers while Thaddeus Anim-Somuah showed what an invaluable club member he is with solid performances over the 100, 200 and 4x100. Steve Moran also proved his worth with third place in the 200m and Craig Knight returning next season is looking forward to lowering the club 4x100m record.

Josiah Teepso was solid in the triple jump and took third in the long jump while Michael Hughes's regular hammer practice finally paid off with an outstanding 34.08m for second place, an improvement of almost ten metres over his previous best. The work of the throws squad is making its way through into performance.

If anyone's been missed off please let us know as everyone who contributed to the afternoon deserves a mention, including our posse of officials, Julia "Youngest On The Stand" Hayes, Roger "OK I'll Referee" McCall, Timekeepers Pam Appleton and Janet Holmes and field event judges and helpers, John Irwin, Andy Drillingcourt, Steve Moran, George "Newly Retired" Mullineux and Susan "PATS" - Paracetamol And Taxi Service - Clague.

And, as Thaddeus pointed out, thanks too to everyone who had competed and scored a point or two in previous matches as they contributed to our beating Spenborough on match points, having tied on League points.

Match Score                                                    League Positions

Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde        391              Blackpool Wyre and Fylde             24                                 

St Helens-Sutton A C                 359               East Cheshire & Tameside            17

East Cheshire & Tameside        345               Holmfirth Harriers                         13

Spenborough & District             322                St Helens-Sutton A C                    11 (1279.5)       

Holmfirth Harriers                      319               Spenborough & District                 11 (1265)            

Wigan & District HAC               294               Wigan & District HAC                   8

Blackpool & East Cheshire go to the division one promotion match while Spenborough and Wigan are relegated to division three. We go into a review and start drawing up plans for 2009 and promotion.

Finally, thanks too, possibly, to Phil Thomas for getting a team together somehow and finishing the afternoon with a smile after occasional tetchy moments early on and some skills in ensuring all the paper work was in order. Results: