News

The last match of the season saw the team travel to Bedford. Hovering just above the relegation zone, the team needed a strong performance to ensure League Two competition next year. The lead changed hands several times during the day with Bedford and Basildon along with Stevenage all in the running until the last few events. Showing remarkable endurance Shannon Rapacchi led the way competing in both the PV and LJ at the same time running back and forth between rounds. Shannon’s win in the PV – 3m40 with a B string win in the LJ set the tone, Martina Barber coming third in the A LJ. Everyone stepped up, volunteered to fill gaps, and kept piling up the points. Shannon competed in a further 5 events winning the A TJ in a PB of 10m01, the B HJ, and running the 100m hurdles and both relays. Aimie Taylor won the B - PV 3m10, coming second in the HJ, third in the B TJ and running both relays. Kerry Murch and Libby Taylor continued their successful year with Kerry winning A Javelin and B Hammer and Libby winning A hammer and B shot. On the track Jessica Astill won the 800m 2.16.8, finishing second in the 1500m and running both relays. Chris Feely and Rebecca Pickard won the A and B 2k steeplechase, while Andrea Westcott won the B 1500m. Vets Sandra Reed, Andrea Westcott and Chris Feely covered all the sprints gaining valuable point for the team. SNHAC were fourth in the 4x100m and second in the 4x400m where thrower Libby Taylor stepped in to run a leg of the relay so the Club could field a team.

In the men’s events Ed Laws and Jake Sutton won the 110m Hurdles, finishing 2A and 1B in the 400H. Dylan Baines had a busy afternoon competing in all four jumps, winning the the TJ in a new PB of 12m59, jumping season’s bests in both the PV – 3m40 and HJ – 1m75 and over 6m in the LJ for second in each. Jacob Kinchin Smith competed in 5 events winning the B LJ with 6m02, running 100m -11.2, 200m – 22.8 and both relays. Rhys Samuels travelled from Cardiff to run the B string sprints and the sprint relay, being rewarded in the 200m with a season’s best of 24.7. Bobby Pitman was second in the 400m 54.4. Chris Wannerton and Tyler Wannerton contested the 800 and 1500m with Tyler backing up Barry Mainstone and Paul Pickard in the throws. Also competing were u17s Adam Bungay TJ, Seth Akinyanju 4x100 relay and non scoring 100/200, along with U20 Damisi Oloniyo competing at a league match for the first time and being rewarded with PBs in the SP and HT.

The match ended SNHAC first, followed by Basildon, Bedford, and Bexley.

The Club celebrated a long season with BBQ in Shefford for the senior team, coaches and officials, without whom none of the events could happen.

Ninety-seven entries were received from SNHAC and HAWCS members, for the second joint Club Champs, held on the 3rd September. Willing volunteers from both Clubs set up Field Events Trolley’s, EDM, Photo Finish, Refreshments and Results and the weather looked good. With athletes competing in their main events and trying new ones to find the overall Champions in each age group, lots of PBs and season’s bests were recorded. Sunny weather started and ended the day, but proceedings were briefly interrupted by torrential rain which failed to dampen spirits. The day ended with the traditional 1500m steeplechase where older members at the Club took the meaning of ‘cool down’ to a different level, with the water jump providing excellent photography opportunities.
Full results are on the Club Website. Overall winners of the U17, U20, Senior and Vets male and female trophies were Senior Athlete Libby Taylor and U17 Bobby Pitman.

The results from the club champs last Saturday are now on the results page of the website.

The medals will be awarded tomorrow (Tuesday) before training at 6.15.

Please remember that to be eligible for a medals you needed to complete 3 events and come 1st, 2nd or 3rd in their category.

There are also Trophies for U11 Girls, U13, Girls, U15 Girls and highest scorer in U17, U20, SW, Vets combined, U11 Boys, U13 Boys, U15 Boys and highest scorer in U17, U20, SM, Vets combined.

Thank you again to all those who helped out on the day to make it such a success.

Two SNHAC athletes were in action in at the SEAA U17/15 Championships in Chelmsford at the weekend. U15 Georgia Sutcliffe competing in the 300m, in her first year in the age group, recorded 45.63 in her heat. U17 Annabel Howells competing in the 400m, ran 60.20 to win her heat on Saturday. Sunday a personal best of 58.87 secured the bronze medal.

A fantastic performance from twenty of SNHAC’s Vets, Seniors, U20 and U17 athletes saw the team finish second in challenging conditions at Woodford on Saturday. Ipswich/ Colchester 250, SNHAC 159, Woodford 147 and London Heathside 131.

Thanks firstly go to Jane and Barry who set up camp early in the only tree, shaded area at the stadium which ensured athletes could retreat to cover between events, secondly to Alan Ephgrave who arrived early and weighed and set up all the throws trolley’s for Woodford, who were short of a Technical Ref and thirdly to every athlete on the team who stepped up, kept going and never gave up, in what was a war of attrition rather than an athletic match due to the heat. Alan, Jane and Bob endured two and a half hours in full sun (temperatures reaching 36 degrees) to cover two long throws. A special mention to Lee Ann Wannerton for enduring a field full of potholes to help out with the women’s discus. First Aid were kept busy all day as officials succumbed to the climbing temperatures.

This was a double fixture with six Division 3 Clubs, some of whom brought no Officials and the track over ran by an hour and a quarter.

Notable performances came from U17 Isaac Whitten who took on senior/U20 athletes in the 3k steeplechase and won, Rhys Samuel who stepped out of his comfort zone to back up Isaac in the 400m, Steve Mayfield stepping in at the last minute to run the B 200m, a spirited finish from Chris Westcott in the 1500m gained 3rd, Adam Searle was supported by Barry Mainstone in the 3000m and then backed up Barry in the shot and hammer. Ed Laws picked up two second places and ran both relays. Dylan Baines competed in 6 events with the best performance being 12m49 TJ for second, Bobby Pitman stepped in to cover the B triple jump, winning with 11m38, also winning the B PV. Thanks to Jake Sutton who came to do three events and had to leave to go to work before his main event started and Tyler Wannerton who came later in the day to cover the 1500m and a leg of the mixed 4x400m relay.

Shannon Rapacchi covered 5 events plus two relays, winning the 100H, sprinter Madeleine Hurley stepped up to run the 1500m along with Andrea Westcott who covered B 100, 200 and 800m, Chris Feely finished a day which included 800 and 1500m, with the 1500 SC and a second place finish. Aimie Taylor has a great day which included one A and two B wins including the B 1500m Steeple Chase. Libby Taylor was supported by Alisha Levy and Dani Mainstone in the throws.

A lovely team spirit made this event a delight to manage, in spite of the conditions.

Norma Harris Team Manager