UKWAL Match 3 Report
UKWAL – Match 3
Kingston 7th August 2016
Josephine Rhodes Reports
The final match in the league saw the Belles in action on a very sunny and humid day at Kingsmeadow stadium. This was the smallest team of the season, due to a few unavoidable absences, but at the final whistle Belgrave were in 5th place slightly adrift of our local rivals Herne Hill, and achieved 5th place overall in the team standings.
On the track
Sandra completed her favourite sprint double, with a 6th and 5th respectively in the ‘A’ 100 and 200. It was a pleasure to welcome back Haylene to the league and she put in a very gutsy performance in the ‘B’ 100 to hang on to 5th place. These two teamed up with Rose and Jodie later in the day for the 4x100 relay. Slick work with the baton guaranteed 4th place and the fastest time by the Belles in the league this season.
Nina was once again on duty in the 200 and 400 – her strongest showing came in the ‘A’ 400 with an assured 3rd place. Jess returned from an injury lay-off to place 3rd in the ‘B’ 400 H and 4th in the ‘B’ 100H. In between stints inside the announcer’s box busily compiling the results, Jodie competed in both hurdles races and came away with a brace of 3rd places. A somewhat under-the-weather Rose still competed gamely to claim 4th in the ‘A’ 800m.
Zoe Smith returned to the track after several recent outings on the road this Summer. At the end of seven-and-a-half laps on a hot track she came a clear 3rd in the ‘A’ 3000m. Helen provided back-up in the ‘B’ string, and then endured an extra-long wait before finally getting underway in her treasured event, the delayed 2k Steeplechase, where she picked up more important points.
The 4x400 relay quartet; Jess, Georgia, Jodie and Rose displayed real fighting spirit and chased all the way for 5th place.
In the field
Leanne had another busy afternoon in the ‘A’ string throws – 4th in the discus the highlight, but scooped up further points in the shot and hammer. Not to be outdone, Ellen joined her for the discus and a very useful 3rd place in the ‘B’ string hammer, before turning her attention to the ‘B’ javelin. Jodie was on song in the ‘A’ javelin achieving a SB for 4th place. Jess coped nicely with a late call-up to the ‘B’ shot putt and dashed over to the circle to boost her personal share of the Belgrave points tally.
Debutante in the league Georgia displayed her wide range of skills competing in all 3 jumps; 4th in the ‘A’ Long Jump and High Jump, and a PB in the ‘A’ Triple Jump. Helen came up trumps in the ‘B’ triple jump with 3rd spot and a SB. Well done both of you! Rose nabbed a useful 3rd in the ‘B’ High Jump and Sandra completed her score-card with 5th in the ‘B’ Long Jump.
Many, many thanks to our lovely team manager Bob Bridges, Bill Laws who did a fine job in the announcer’s box, and Charlie Dickinson and Gillian & Tony Fairclough who were as invaluable as ever in their officiating duties and support.
A few missing faces and empty spots on the team-sheet this season has denied the Belles the chance to show their full potential, however there are some very promising youngsters waiting in the wings and with a strong winter of training, some better fortune and the prospect of a larger team the Belles have strong ambitions of a top 3 placing next year.