St Helens Sutton February 09 Results Page

Standish Trail Race: 28 February

Jim Crehan won the O55 category at this popular trail race near Wigan.

Coaching:

Ray Vose has taken on overall responsibility for the direction coaching senior endurance athletes at the club.

Committee Changes:

Christine Dempsey has taken over as Secretary following Julia Hayes's resignation. Julia remains on the Committee as Volunteer and Social Organiser in addition to her work as a team manager for the Cheshire League and Sports Hall teams. In recognition of her seven years service as Secretary ( and many other jobs!!!!!) Julia will be proposed for life membership of the club at the 2009 Annual General Meeting. Chris is now the first point of contact for all club matters. Details on the contacts page.

Sports Hall North West Regional Final - Wigan 22 February

Fourteen St. Helens Sutton athletes competed in the Sportshall North West Regional Final. There were three individual medalists - Sally Ashton (Gold - Speed Bounce), Bethany Baxter (silver - 6 lap time trial) and Louise Hayes (Silver - Speed Bounce). The U13 Girls' team of Shelby Jack, Bethany Baxter, Elisha Cain, Sally Ashton and Rosie Johnson (who was called up late on the day and enabled the team to finish the 4x200m relay) finished fifth, with the U13 Boys' team of Matthew Atherton, Taylor Caton Hand, Ryan Houghton, Daniel Elston and Chris Garrity fourth. There were several personal bests by the U15 Girls' team of Liane Bibby, Louise Hayes, Joanna Bebbington, and Trisha Spark who were fourth. Thanks to all the parents, grandparents, the club's Sports Hall coaches (Julia Hayes, Carl Bibby and Colin Sparks) for their attendance and Heather Drillingcourt who helped out on the day. Report from Andy Drillingcourt. Results

Tom Green competed in the 60m, was got off to a good start in his heat and was in fourth place (in line for a place in the semis) when he had to pull up injured. Tom's hoping it doesn't happen in the Olympic final and is building up to that by taking part in the final indoor meeting at SportCity next month.

A small group of club athletes experienced the joy of Parliament Hill for the National Cross Country Championships. Matthew Crehan relieved Dave Forrester of the annual trophy for being the highest place athlete in the event by taking sixteenth position in the U17 contest in which support from John Ashcroft (91), David Thomas Griffiths(173), Danny Hughes (192) and Adam Fackey (251) earned the team fourteenth place.

In the U13 girls contest Emma McCartney (199) and Rachel Woosey (212) were both enthusiastic about their National debuts and Louise Hayes was delighted with her 299th position in the U15 race. In the equivalent race for Boys Jamie White (88) and Jamie Webb (181) both finished well while senior lady Gemma Connolly (131) used the race as a warm up for the forthcoming Inter-Counties.

Steve Clague (159) was well ahead of numerous runners in the junior contest and four senior men Barry Graney (481), Ray Vose (744), Peter Johnson (867) and Ian Hayburn (906) all completed the course. Ian White also attended but decided against risking further injury and is concentrating on getting himself and the rest of the seniors ready for the 12 stage road relay.

Five club members contested this event, Matt Shillabeer finishing 44th in 49.44, Julian Corfe 142nd (56.44) while Karen Jarvis (13th - 59.10), Jo Clisham-Marsh (16th - 60.12) and Chris Dickinson (29th - 66.27) also completed the course.

As Dave Forrester was unavailable to defend his title Tony Smith took up the club's mantle finishing seventh followed by Barry Graney(22) , Ian White (30) , Jim Crehan (36), Ray Vose (43),

Ian "training run" Hayburn (62)and John Skinley (84) The team finished sixth. Results.

The race was preceded by a call for discussion about the future of the long standing L & D league. Interested parties are encouraged to discuss the future direction of the league & what athletes want from it. Please pass comments to any member of our committee, or directly to the officers of the L&D (see website). An open invitation was given to athletes to attend the AGM, in April (date to appear on the L&D website).

The clash with the Merseyside, Greater Manchester Schools' Championships and tomorrow's Liverpool and District Championships had a major impact on the final match of the Manchester Area League. However, there were some splendid performances. Rachel Woosey made a valiant attempt to win the under 13 race, missing out by a mere second, while Emma McCartney (4), Vicky Lamb (5) and Sally Ashton (6) clinched first team on the day and third place overall. Chelsea Jarvis attended later her collect her medal for winning the overall title.

We had two overall individual places in addition to Chelsea. Jamie White was second U15 Boy and John Ashcroft third U17 and will collect another medal as part of the team which took second place in the overall competition.

Alex Bleakley had an excellent run for eleventh in the U13 age group, while Nathan Brown (8) and Ryan Wilson (Like Alex in their first season) collected two of the medals for finishing second team overall. The rest of the team will be rewarded with their own medals in the normal manner.

The U17 ladies were unable to attend but were awarded the medals as the winning team while the bare four (not literally) ladies Gemma Connolly (4), Louise Hogg (31), Jo Clisham Marsh (43) and Chris Dickinson (70) took eighth place which puts them seventh overall. All bar Gemma counted for the veterans who finished sixth for the season while Gemma who was flowing collected third overall.

Ian White, who has provided excellent leadership for the competing runners this season, led the club home finishing 29th and earning the silver medal in the overall O45 competition. Maurice Collins (53), Steve Tate (79), Peter Johnson (93), Ian Hayburn (102) and newcomer Mark Davies (126) made sure we finished tenth on the day. Jim Crehan collected third O50 in the overall competition. The veterans team finished fifth in the overall competition, a highly encouraging result.

That means that in 2009 we will contest division two of the League against clubs such as Salford Harriers, Mantriathlon, Macclesfield, Manchester YMCA, Swinton, Belle Vue Racers and Salford Metropolitan. Bearing in mind that the First Division should be Trafford, Wilmslow, Altrincham, Stockport, Sale and East Cheshire there's a great incentive to go for promotion from the outset next season. The races, of course, will be run together be scored separately.

Merseyside Schools Cross Country Championships - Stadt Moers, Whiston, 7 February

The Merseyside Schools' Cross Country Championship event at Stadt Moers was chaotic, with last minute course changes amongst several factors causing the programme to run an hour late. Unfortunately, while the venue is very nice to train on, as a championship venue it leaves a lot to be desired and the teaching profession were noticeable by their absence with the exception of those who are already involved in athletics as a sport. No doubt the organisers will reflect on what happened and come up with better organisation next year.

Results are available on request but it is clear that John Ashcroft and Chelsea Jarvis have clinched their places in the County team by finishing second in their respective races. Matty Shirling and Jamie White must be under consideration after finishing sixth and eighth in their own age groups. Andy Cowley (11), Jamie Webb (11), Danny Hughes (12) and Steve Clague (12) all made the top dozen.

Team Manager Adrian Webb was delighted with the efforts of the team both those making their debuts and experienced club athletes. They included Craig Brierley, David T Griffiths, Rachel Wilcock, Lucy Renshall, Louise Hayes, Charlotte Boylan, Lisa Howard, James Follin, Chris Garrtity, Yasmin Lloyd, Sarah Pilkington, Mia Neafcy, Lydia Bacon, Matthew Atherton, Dominic Day, Adam Clisby, James Newport and Jack Seddon.

In addition, there were three members of Leigh Harriers, the McGoldrick twins and Adam Howarth from the legendary Howarth family who represented the town on this occasion. Our thanks go to everyone involved in the organisation of the team, including the St Helens secondary schools sport organiser Damian Keegan, for their enthusiasm.

Elsewhere Matthew Crehan qualified for the ESAA Championships by finishing third in his age group at Stretford. Congratulations to Matt, John and Chelsea and good luck to everyone with a chance of getting in the team. Let's hope you make it.

Three club members risked the Manchester weather to compete in the latest Indoor meeting. Steve Moran ran the 60m (7.47 and 7.46) and 200 (24.25). He was slightly slower than Matthew Stone who has been called up to compete for the Universities against the RAF who recorded 7.44, 7.41 and 23.39. Ian Cooney loosened up with 7.73 and 24.9 in his first competitive outing for some while. There'll be great competition for places this year. Will Ian Crompton's 400m record finally go?