Southern Athletics League Match 2, Harrow

Another tough match for Belgrave.

There was a terrific effort from all who made the journey across London to compete in the second Southern Athletics League match at Harrow, with all team members filling vacant spots to enhance the scoring.

But due to a combination of injuries, holidays and proximity to the Vitality 10k, many events were not covered, particularly on the track, and the team again finished in last place and remain bottom of the league after two of the five matches.

There were many outstanding performances on the day especially in the field and again the small team showed real commitment and fighting sprit. Highlight of the afternoon was the performance of Mia Callenberg who threw a PB to win the discuss with second places in the Hammer and Triple Jump plus a valuable 3rd in the Shot. 

Jodie Albrow finished second in the Javelin and High Jump where she was joined by Grace Johnson who also finished second in the B event. Jodie also ran the 400H and helped the mixed 400m relay team at the end of the day.

The men also scored valuable points in the throws with Abi Ekoku second inn the shot and discuss, Pete Mayfield winning the B shot and Tom Ikeda second in the B Hammer.

On the track there was a fine PB by Fiona Maddocks who finished second in the 800m, a second place by Sian Harry who had dropped down to run the 200m instead of her usual 400m. 

Mhairi Hall also ran very well in a strongly contested  5000m for another PB.

The only win on the track was by Gareth Holden in the B 400mH. Gareth was a real star performer on the day not only running his favoured event the 400m, but filling in the 800m as well as in the jumps.

Perhaps the highlight of the day was at the very end in the newly scheduled 4 X 400 mixed relay. The Belgrave A team of Sian Harry, Mike Burslem, Jodie Albrow and Gareth Holden (again) all ran brilliantly to finish second. Overheard from a member of one of the other teams to their first leg male runner; 'But you were overtaken by a girl!'.  That was Sian, of course.

Result

1. Harrow 248,  3. Woking 213,  3. Southampton 166,  4. Belgrave 107.