Young Athletes League - Connahs Quay - 31 May

The Young Athletes team finished fourth at Connahs Quay with Nathan Brown and Sophie Rigby winning the club's Athletes of the Match award. Full report in due course. Julia Hayes and Colin Sparks (with advice of the coaches) will be selecting the teams for the final two matches at Warrington (21 June) and Carlisle (19 July) where a full turn out will be needed.  Carl Bibby remains team manager on the day. A lot of help will be needed in staging the match at Warrington so please offer your assistance in any capacity if you are available. Results

Chairmanship:

After a prolonged period of illness - and a serious collapse at home last Tuesday - Phil Thomas has stepped down from the position of chairman.  Although Phil will still be involved in coaching throws and helping to select the senior track and field teams until the end of the season  he will not be able to attend as many matches as in the past. He would, therefore, appreciate all enquiries to be sent to the club secretary. John Irwin is serving as Chairman pro tem, until the Annual General Meeting in September and other tasks will be shared between the remaining Committee members. We understand Phil is unlikely to be fully recovered until the end of the year and he would appreciate your consideration in the matter.

National Junior League - Preston 24 May

A splendid day in Preston's sunshine. Despite fielding a reduced number of athletes, due to the Northern, open and holidays, the club finished 5th overall.

There was once again an excellent team spirit. James Sutton and Nathan Brown started the day off both competing in the long jump, first time for Nathan. This was followed by Sophie Rigby and Amy Hughes in the ladies long jump. Sophie then went on to win the High jump competition with a personal best and new U20 club record of 1.65m (Which would have placed her in the medals if she had competed in the Northern) 

Jenny Lamb, Amy Hughes and Heather Drillingcourt completed a fine afternoon in the sprint events. Jenny running both the 100m and 200m, Amy the 100m and Heather the 200m and 400m (finishing in 3^rd place in a time of 68.3).  All four girls came together to compete in both relays and Sophie surprised herself running 67secs for the final lap of the 4x400m, bringing the team home in a total time of 4.46.9.

Our sole second claim runner, James Sutton also competed in the triple jump with a jump of 10.71 and alongside Thaddeus Anim-Somuah in the 100m. Thaddeus had a splendid afternoon contesting in both sprints and both relays. Thaddeus also ran an excellent second leg of the 400m relay in 52.34, supported by strong runs from Matt Crehan 55.71, Jake Healey 59.80 and Ste Clague 55.91 (coming straight from the 2km steeplechase) to finish in a combined time of 3.43.76.( A new club record I believe).

Matt Crehan not only competed in both relays but improved his best performance in the 800m (1.59) and 400m (53.6).. Danny Hughes did his bit for the team, competing in the 200m, 400m, discus and 4x100m relay. As did Jake Healey in the 1500m and Nathan Brown in his first 3000m, backed up with a superb effort in the 4x100m relay.  Ste Clague had a change from the 400m hurdles and jumped the other barriers in the 2km steeplechase and improved his best performance by 7 seconds with a time of 7.17.7 as well as the 800m and the 4x400m relay.

Thanks must go to our officials; Pam Appleton, Janet Holmes our time keepers, John Irwin, Jake Healey, Mike Hughes Roy Sutton, Neville Jones, Julia Hayes and Ste Clague for their contributions in officiating the discus events.

Thanks also to all our supporters who enjoyed not only the performances but the much wanted sunshine. Report by Sue Clague, Team Manager.  Results

Northern U15 Championships - Gateshead 23/24 May

Three gold medals and two club records completed a splendid day for club athletes at the Northern Championships. Liane Bibby won the javelin with a club record throw of 35.38m, Michael Causer set another club record (5.84) in winning the long jump while Chelsea Jarvis won the 800m in an excellent 2.17.6. Tom Green ran the 200m in 24.25 finishing fifth in his heat. Congratulations to each of them. On the second day Patricia Spark threw the hammer 31.36 for silver in the hammer. John Ashcroft, just missed out on a medal finishing fourth in 4.07.7, Jamie Webb finishing eleventh in the final. Tom Green contested the 100m recording 12.08 in his heat.  Pictures of some of the athletes are reproduced on the Northern website. Results

Young Athletes League - Warrington 17 May

The team performed well, just holding off Kendal to finish third overall. Michael Causer re-wrote the club U15 long jump record again on his return to competition and also won the 100m. Other winners included John Ashcroft and Michael Hughes in the hammer. Taylor Caton-Hand (high jump, hurdles and long jump - Jonathan Causer making it a double in the latter), Tom Green in the 200m, Chloe Rigby and Shelby Jack in the 75m, Rosie Johnson and Sally Ashton (competing straight after the 150) in the 800 while Rachael Woosey and Emma McCartney produced a splendid 1200m.

Natalie Bannister started the day with a win in the 300m hurdles, to which she added the 80m Hurdles, Sophie Rigby and Amy Hughes pulled off a long and high jump double, shot putters Jamie Dinaar and Ben Walsh made it a double win, Heather Drillingcourt took the 200m. Liane Biby (having won the javelin) took the discus alongside Patricia Spark, while Patricia joined Rose Hindley for victory in the shot putt.

The club athletes of the match went to Sally Ashton for her unstinting contribution to the club's cause (you try running an 800 straight after the 150 at very short notice!!!) and Danny Hughes for four solid contributions throughout the afternoon, culminating in the fastest leg of the 4x400m in a new club record of time of 3.49.2 (Jamie White 56.3, Tom Green 59.2, John Ashcroft 57.6 and Danny Hughes 56.2) knocking seven seconds off the previous best set at Macclesfield last year.

Final scores were 1. Horwich 341.5,  2. Wrexham 289.0,  3. SHS 255.0,   4. Kendal 245.5.   Points  Results   Relay

The result underlined the need for a full turnout, covering all events, in the next match at Connahs Quay on 31 May. The team will be announced after the Warrington match on Bank Holiday Monday. Photographs are available at http://www.whiteflyer.f2s.com/yal2008/

Merseyside Track and Field Championships: Wavertree 10 May

A splendid haul of medals at the Merseyside Championships was completed when all four 4x100m relay teams won gold medals.

The U13 quartet of Sally Ashton, Chloe Rigby, Lauren Wilcock and Rachel Woosey recorded  62.7, Sally and Lauren winning their first medals alongside triple medal winner and double champion, Chloe, and bronze medal sprinter Rachel.

Louise Hayes and Vicky Lamb came along to support javelin champion Liane Bibby and triple throws champion, Tricia Spark for victory in the U15 event in 58.0.

Sophie Rigby, who won the high jump but was unable to make in a double as it clashed with the long jump, was joined by three colleagues who came specifically for the relay, Natasha Le Surf, Amy Hughes and Jenny Lamb for a team win in 57.7

The U17 Men's quartet of 800m champion Danny Hughes, 1500m silver medallist John Ashcroft and two 1500 metres finalists Jamie White and Jamie Webb scorched round the one lap between them in for gold with a time of 54.9.

The absence of medals by the myopic Merseyside County AA did little to diminish the enthusiasm of second placers Heather Drillingcourt (TJ), Thaddeus Anim-Somuah(100) and Chloe Rigby (80).

Those included in the bronze medal positions were Matthew Atherton (100/200), Chris Garrity (200/ LJ), Tom Green (200), Rosie Johnson (1200), Steve Clague (800), Matthew Shirling and Heather Drillingcourt (200).

Winners included Danny Hughes (800), David Forrester (1500/3000) hammer throwers Kathryn Sumner, Patricia Spark, Patricia also winning the shot where Rose Hindley and Liane Bibby ensured a clean sweep for the club.

Lucy Croft was another shot putt title winner in the shot putt while Liane won the javelin. Sophie and Chloe Rigby won their respective age group high jumps, Chloe adding the long jump title as well.

Finalists included Emma McCartney, Daniel Elston, Danielle Webb, Jonathan Causer, Rachel Wilcock and Jake Healy, as well as others previously mentioned. Please let me know if anyone has been overlooked. Many thanks to the coaches and parents who attended to support. Results:

Cheshire Track and Field Championships: Warrington 9/10 May.

On the first day of the Cheshire Championships Shelby Jack produced a superb performance to win the 80m in 11.4 secs. Shelby then added a bronze medal over 150 on day two of the championships which she ran in 21.2. Ian Costello was second in the 800m in 2.13.6.

Pamela Harrison

The club has just received the sad news that former sprinter Pam Harrison has died. Pam, from Sutton Heath,  was the grand-daughter of the great Fred McMinnis and served the club well in the 1970's as a sprinter, long jumper and relay runner. Her fiance Dougie Walker, brother of club member Julia Eccleston, was tragically killed in an accident while in the army. Pam, whose married name was Honeyball,  collapsed with a brain hemorrhage while out shopping. She leaves two young children. Our sympathies go to her family.

British Universities Championships - Bedford 2-4 May

David Forrester finished second over 5000m in the British Universities Championships in a new club record time of 14.26.44, having broken the previous club record with 14.50.18 in the heats the previous day. Matthew Stone ran a speedy 22.88 to reach the semi-final of the 200 (23.24) while Thaddeus Anim-Somuah flashed down the 100m in 11.34.

Waterloo 15k Race: 4 May

Jim Crehan was the first M55 finishing thirty-third in 60.03, John Appleton was third M55 in 63.27 and John Skinley recorded 69.03(133). In addition, Julia Eccleston, finishing 178th in 71.55, gained revenge on the LPS athlete who beat her on Saturday. In the supporting 5k races Cecilia Schroeder and David Bradshaw finished together in 23.21 (188/189).

Trafford YA Meeting: 4 May

National Young Athletes League - Halifax 3 May

Despite the clash with the Bank Holiday, Magic Weekend, unavoidable/avoidable absences and the clash with the senior League match the YAL team did remarkably well to finish just eight points adrift of third place. Highlights of the match included Grade 1 performances from Chloe Rigby (1.46 high jump) and Liane Bibby (33.74 javelin), the latter a club record. Team manager Carl Bibby was pleased with the way everyone mucked in to earn points for the club.

Shelby Jack and Chloe Rigby both ducked under eleven seconds in the 75, Amy Potter and Grace Bannister tackled the long jump, Lauren Wilcock made her 800m and shot putt league debuts. In the U15 Girls' contest Lianne Bibby and Patricia Spark dominated the throws, Louise Hayes tackled the hurdles with Rachel Wilcock and Vicky Lamb both doing the long jump/800 combination. Both relay teams competed well.

The U17's were represented by Sophie Rigby, who tackled the long jump and 100m while Natalie Bannister laid a claim for a senior debut with two fine hurdles races.  The U17 Boys' trio of Danny Hughes, Jamie Webb and Jamie White all warmed up for next week's county championships, Danny winning the hammer.

Luke McDonald and Chris Garrity shared the U15 burden between them while T T Caton-Hand, Daniel Elston and Jonathan Causer contested the U13 Boys' events. On paper the club, even at full strength, were expected to finish no higher than fourth but to finish only eight points behind Holmfirth was a remarkable performance. Congratulations to all who competed, officiated (especially those who were officiating for the second time in 24 hours) and otherwise provided support. Unfortunately we needed another two to score the maximum officials' points which would have taken us past Holmfirth and no one was available to help on this occasion.

The next match is at Victoria Park, Warrington in two weeks' time when we will have the opportunity to bounce straight back. The recipients of the club's Athlete of the Match awards were Chloe Rigby and T T Caton Hand.

Team scores: 1 Halifax 426; 2 Lancaster & Morecambe 328; 3 Holmfirth 167; 4 St Helens-Sutton 159

Northern League Division 2 (West)  Warrington  2 May

For the second week in succession the club produce a fine example of team spirit and cohesion to grab third sport in the first round of the Northern League with a team which tackled its gigantic task with determination and courage.

The young athletes were excellent, Sophie Rigby and Josie Barrow following a whitewash in the pole vault by producing the same in the high jump and stepping in to cover other events when requested. Jenny Lamb accepted the mantle of senior sprinter with alacrity and emerged at the end of the afternoon a more mature athlete. Amy Hughes continued to impress with a win in the 400m hurdles and had to be actively persuaded not to try the high hurdles on this occasion. Heather Drillingcourt improved her 800m time by twelve seconds in a week and contested the triple jump scoring vital points at a crucial time in the match. Kathryn Sumner came within 20 centimetres of breaking the club senior hammer record, Natalie Mullineux produced her personal best, just shy of thirty metres while Lucy Croft narrowly missed her 25 metres target. Kathryn and Lucy stayed on to produce points-winning performances in the javelin.

The U17 lads also made a massive contribution, John Ashcroft just missing the magic two minute mark by a fraction of a second over 800m, competing in the high jump and running an excellent 4x400m relay leg. Tom Green, stimulated by the quality of the competition, was the fastest U17 male in the sprints before contributing to a fine second place in the 4x100m. The U20's also made a massive contribution, Matt Crehan running the club's fastest League 5000m for several years and only just missing the junior club record. Steve Clague was another who stepped into the breach, running three 400m during the day and clearing the pole vault alongside the pole breaking Ray Vose. Jake Healy was his reliable self in the metric mile and 4x400 while Danny Wilson dealt with injury by doing what he needed to before retiring from his jumping events.

There were some sterling performances from the seniors none more so than Gemma Connolly and Julia Eccleston in the 3000m, Gemma pulling away for an impressive victory and Julia using her three hour work break to almost catch a former Merseyside U13 cross country champion before jogging round the 400m and dashing off back to work. Earlier Gemma had shattered her personal best in the 800m and ducked under five minutes for the 1500m. Sue Lowrie, who with team manager, Sue Clague performed miracles with the ladies' team, shook off six months without training to run the 200, anchor the 4x100 relay home and contest the long jump. Lucy Mitchell, whose enthusiasm was infectious,  was excellent in the jumps and an even more impressive debut in the 4x400m which was anchored by Sue Clague running solidly for fifth.

David Pogson made an impressive debut in the discus, less than a metre short of the club record, just missed the cut in the hammer, where Mike Hughes excelled  with a throw in excess of 30 metres while Ken Williams threw discus and javelin after officiating on the first event. Steve Moran, running his first 100m for three years scored excellent points in both sprints and provided experience for the 4x100m relay which finished second. Team manager, Ian Hayburn, put his achilles injury on one side, to contest the triple jump, Ray Vose produced steady throwing performances in the discus and javelin and cleared the hurdles easily. Greg Williams cleared all three hurdles events easily taking top three places in the two hurdles and steeplechase events in a welcome return to form.

Ian Costello lived up to his reputation as one of the most consistent performers with solid runs in the 800 and 1500, Peter Johnson took third in the B steeplechase. Ian Cooney was handily placed in the 400m before leading the line in both relays and will be sharper for next week's county championships. The results are being analysed in preparation for selection for the next match which takes place at Litherland on Saturday 6 June. What is clear is that we have genuine competition for places in all events and athletes who are keen to represent the club. Other clubs will be stronger next time. We must make sure we are too.

Many thanks to Sue and Ian for volunteering to act as team managers and proving they are naturals, to track judge Julia Hayes, timekeepers, Pam Appleton and Janet Holmes, field judges, John Irwin (who also managed to make refreshments in between officiating), Tony Raffle, George Mullineux and Colin Sparks who then moved over to complete the marksman's duties. Phil Robinson brought the poles for club use, stayed all afternoon and is determined to get fit as soon as possible. Phil Thomas did the scoring and a bit of announcing alongside Roger McCall. Many thanks to all, including parents who came in cars, pitched tents and provided support for their offspring and the club. Such support is appreciated by the club.

The final team score was :-

1 West Cheshire 401; 2 Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre 364; 3 St Helens-Sutton 342; 4 LiverpoolPembrokeSefton 316; 5 SouthportWaterloo A C 297; 6 Manx AC 295. Results