Sunday Summary 31 May 2009

Les Pullen (left) and Gerard McCann (right) - both going long distance in South Africa.

National Young Athlete League, Tonbridge

A close fought battle in the blazing sun of Tonbridge sums up Sundays 3rd outing in the National Young Athletes League - writes Mick Bond.

Up against Kent rivals Blackheath and Tonbridge Ac plus Bedford and County the match scores yo-yo ed as the afternoon went on but then confusion in the results meant the team had to go home without knowing the final result.

The club scored heavily in the sprints and hurdles as usual and it was great to see some wins in the middle distance events as well against some of the UK’s top distance running clubs. Victories came in the field as well and at times it was hard to know why we weren’t winning. In the end however despite many gallant efforts and lots of covering we didn’t have quite enough bodies to beat any of the other teams and came 4th again.

Relegation is now staring us in the face but with two matches to go there is always hope and the show’s not over till the fat lady sings (No we’re not talking about you Neville)

Age Group Highlights

Under 17 Boys

Donomar Smith had a return to form in the 400m running an exceptional pb of 51.3 to win the B String race. Michael Franchetti and Nigel Munjoma took a double first in the Long Jump both getting over 6 metres with 6.10 and 6.02 respectfully. Charlie Perry continued his improvement in the 400 hurdles getting under 60 seconds for the first time with 59.6

Under 17 Girls

Chelcie Osideko won the Long Jump with a leap of 4.67. Sally Duggan won the Javelin with a last round throw of 31.77. Chanel Hemmings, Maleka Allen and Melissa Owusu Ansah dominated the sprints and would have won all strings of the 100, 200 and 300m between them if not for a pulled hamstring by Chanel in the A string 100 – we wish her a speedy recovery

Caroline Ford ran 2.22.8 to take second in a classy 800m whilst Cloe Garret equalled the club record in the Pole Vault with a jump of 2.20 and then won the B String Sprint Hurdles and High Jump

Under 15 boys

Max Collett front ran the 1500 to win in a new pb of 4.27.0. Jon Hart set a new pb of 1.80 in the Pole Vault. Jeeve Iragabe showed his wide range of abilities taking second in the 800 with 2.16.9, jumping 1.50 in the High Jump and then throwing the Discus 28.50. Charlie Murphy set pb’s in both the Discus and Shot the latter with a putt of 9.51. Erife Williams set pb’s in both the 200 and 400 with 25.5 and 58.6

Under 15 Girls

Leanne O’Donovan set a great new pb of 12.6 in the 75metre hurdles. Daryl Nieta ran 12.9 in the 100 for a pb and leapt 4.56 in the Long Jump. Deborah Kabahinda had a good day in the field throwing the shot (9.04), discus (23.80pb) and javelin (24.90)

Under 13 Boys

Steven Ball ran a great 1500 to win in an excellent 4.57.7. Jack Parris won the 200 in 28.2 whilst new comer Ezkiel Akinsola had a good debut along with Reece McLawrence who along with Ben Stanbury jumped a very respectful 1.30 in the high Jump

Under 13 Girls

Natasha Sinha won one of the races of the day reeling in the early leader in the 1200m to literally snatch victory on the line in a new club record of 4.04.8. Omolade Taiwo was equally impressive in the 800m reducing her pb by 8 seconds with a time of 2.32.6. Most impressive of all was the under 13 Girls team who covered all their events!!

Match result

1 Blackheath and Bromley 463.5

2 Tonbridge 402

3 Bedford and County355

4 Cambridge Harriers338.5

Next match June 21st at Hendon