News

The second SAL of the season saw 16 Vets, Seniors, U20s and U17’s travel to Battersea on Sunday. The weather was kind and the team fought for every point. Many athletes competed in five events and in one case seven to fill the gaps – Sandra how do you do it? There were many ‘firsts’ during the match – the first time Adam Searle has run a 400m Hurdles and 4x400 relay, the first time Andrew Kelly put on a Club Vest, borrowed some spikes (thanks Libby) and after one PV training session and some emergency in match coaching in HJ and SP (thanks Dylan and Barry) gained three second B string places, the first time Barry has run 400m in 20 years, the first time Shannon has run a 1500m SC, the first time Aimie Taylor has jumped 9m+ in the triple jump, the first time U17 Bobby Pitman competed at 400H (and they were senior height) and lovely to see Club Chair Paul racing on the track for the first time since having COVID. Jane Taylor probably travelled the furthest to an SAL Match to bring Libby, Aimie and poles from Nottingham and Shannon and Andrew carried weights the furthest – two heavy pole bags from the furthest car park and then had to push them over the fence!

We had too many gaps, so finished fourth but scored 50 points more than at Thurrock. Croydon won, Ealing Southall and Middlesex second, Dacorum and Tring third just 18 points ahead of SNHAC.

There were A and B wins in the women’s PV Shannon and Aimie 3m40 and 3m, Women’s Discus Kerry and Libby 32m01 and 29m33, Women’s Javelin Kerry and Dani 40m02 and 18m21. Libby won the Hammer 47m74. There were A string second place finishes for Shannon Rapacchi 100H, Aimie Taylor TJ and Kerry Murch SP. Kerry was second in the B HT. There were A string second place finishes from Alex Pickard 400m 58.6, Dylan Baines HJ and TJ 1m63 and 12m58, Barry Mainstone SP 8m33 and Jamesdean Aitkins JT 31m 20. B string second places came from Bobby Pitman 200m, Adam Searle 400H and HT, Andrew Kelly HJ, PV and SP, Jamesdean LJ and Barry Mainstone JT. The men’s 4x400m team of Alex, Jamesdean, Bobby and Dylan also came Second 48.5. The match finished with the mixed 4x400m relay where Adam, Isobel Geere, Sandra and Alex enjoyed the experience finishing third in 4.26.7

Match photos will be on the photo gallery by the end of the week, the next match is at home on the 26th June where Team Manager Norma Harris hopes to have athletes filling every event.