SAL Divison 2E Title and Promotion for Belgrave!
Southern Athletics League Match 5 – Luton
Saturday 15th August
Riding high on the back of an undefeated run the Belgrave Southern Athletics Team was in great spirits and determined to finish the season on top. With promotion virtually secured it was a glorious day for the final match of the track and field season as the team gathered to take on a strong Luton team with Basildon and Cambridge Harriers also proving tougher than anticipated. After a stressfull day of being marginally behind the team took the lead coming into the relays but in true Belgrave style we were not going to stop there and two close fought 4x400 relay victories really summed up the grit and determination of the team this season.
Womens Team
The ladies were in fine form across the board as they faced some stiff competition from the Luton crew, but managed to band together to fill every event and ensure we were covered right til the end.
Team trumpet Rachel Basford put in a big throw in the hammer A to take second place before spearheading the cheer squad for the day. The rest of the throws were left in the capable hands of Elena Narozanski and Leanne Bettis who teamed up to take care of the shot, discus and javelin - with Leanne finishing in second for all bar one of her events and Elena notably securing a win in the discus B.
Elsewhere in the field Georgia Patterson and Milla McKenzie continued to prove a formidable pair in the high jump with both taking the win whilst Georgia also put in a great show in the jong jump and Milla showcased her running talents in the 100m B, 200m B and 4x400 relay. A third place in the 100m A and second in the triple jump B for Emma Watkins set her up for a brilliant opening leg in the ladies 4x100 where she was joined by fellow jumper Julia Doukrou who managed third in the triple jump A before putting in two great efforts for the 4x100 and 4x400 relays.
It was "the rule of three" for Jessica Case and Rose O’Brien who partnered up for an onlsaught of 400s competing in the 400m hurdles, 400m and 100m hurdles with the girls managing second place in the A and first in the B for all events before completing the 4x100 and capping off the day with notable opening and anchor legs in the winning 4x400 relay.
A call to arms from the road and cross country ladies saw the middle distance taken care of by Jojo Rhodes and Sally Underhill who both ran a steady race in the 800m before pushing on in the 1500m with Sally managing a PB and win in the B string. They were joined by fellow cross-country lover Mel Wilkins who put in a glorious run in the women’s steeplechase with an easy victory over the field, whilst Helen Brown completed her season with second place in the steeplechase B string. The ladies of the road Sammi Amend and Zoe Smith dominated the women’s 3000m with Sammi showing the track girls how to back up from a 5km and 10km double to win the A with Zoe not far behind securing the win in the B race.
Men’s Team
It was a great day for young and old in the men's team with our U17 and U20 men tearing it up on both the track and field and the senior and vets guys showing them all how it's done.
Continuing his great season AJ Bennetts started his day with a second in the high jump A followed by a win in the javelin B before running a brilliant third leg to narrow the gap in the victorious 4x400 relay team. Meanwhile training partner Mark Silvester showed his diversity with a win in the high jump B, a second in the triple jump B and a PB in his non-scoring 400m before leading out the 4x400 team.
Top scorer for the men's team JC Doukrou had a brilliant day winning the 110m and 400m hurdles B races before finishing second in the triple jump A and long jump B. Dom Boman-Flavell took the win in the 400m hurdles A race and pole vault B before a tough long jump A and 4x100 relay.
It was another PB in the pole vault for Jon Goodall before he stepped up to take second in the 110 hurdles A race whilst Richard McMillan who normally races no further than a lap stepped up to the plate for the 800m B race and gained valuable points for the team before helping out officiating in the field events.
After a rare defeat in the 100m Matt Threadgold stepped up a gear to win the 400m and 200m A races comfortably before anchoring both relays most memorably with a storming run in the 4x400m to come from behind and maintain their undefeated recorded for the season. He was joined by sprint star Sam Ige who ran brilliantly to win both the 100m and 200m B races before a blistering opening leg in the 4x100 and first time appearance in the 4x400 team.
Tom Chandy made his club debut running a tough 1500 B to take second before quickly backing up 10mins later to take victory in the B steeplechase. He was shown the ropes by Nick Smallwood who has had a brilliant opening season for the club and took victory in the steeplechase A race after having already run the 800m and 1500m.
Chris Kiely made his southern league debut with a hard fought second place run in the 400m B race, whilst Michael McBrinn ran well in the non-scoring 400m and 100m races.
It was a tough day for the men in the throws but the quality and depth showed through with Alex Smith making his first appearance in fine fashion to secure second place in both the hammer and discus B string. Meanwhile throwing stalwarts Tom Ikeda and Chris Privett opened the match with a tough round in the shot put but they soon bounced back with second places in the discus for Tom and hammer for Chris.
Rushing straight to the track from work Alex Miller put in a controlled and well paced race to win the 5000m A whilst club race walking favourite John Hall took second in the B race having put is hand up last minute to assist the team in their quest for the title.
Overall a brilliant team performance from everyone to ensure the title and promotion was ours for 2015.
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Congratulations to Pete Mayfield and Rose O'Brien who were the top points scorers for the 2015 Southern League Season.
What a season!
A word from the team manager...It has been such an incredible season for the whole team with everyone who has come along and participated in both scoring and non-scoring events really making this team what it is - AMAZING! The team spirit and support that has been shown by everyone is the reason why we have done so well - we may not have won every event but we certainly weren't afraid to try and that is why we have proved so formidable this season. Long may it continue and we all look forward to an even bigger and better 2016 in Division 1!Special thanks to all of those who have given their time this season to help officiate, measure, timekeep and judge - Tony & Gillian Fairclough, Bob Bridges, Charlie Dickinson, Dave Lucas, Bill Laws, Mont Doukrou, Robert Norville, Richard McMillan, Jodie Albrow and Don Anderson - you are greatly appreciated by all of the athletes, we really couldn't do any of it without you.An extra special mention to Bob Bridges who throughout the season has been amazing in giving his time to drive the minibus to all of our fixtures. From battling through the glorious football traffic to Eastbourne to the parking lot of doom at St Albans, we salute you.Bring on 2016!