Page 9 - Summer2016Gazette

Athletics Report 7

by a rare appearance from Kate, in too many events and we do us no harm at all. Despite
with Niamh also impressing may well need that cushion. turning her foot coming out of
over 1500m in her warm up Most of us travel the afternoon the blocks, Maya places well in
for her final English Schools. before and are treated that the 200 with Issie producing a
With Kelly also running well evening by Chris Hilditch to fine 2nd in the B. The sprint
in the 1500 and Jess and Leah an all-you-can-eat buffet. The relay team, minus Maya,
maintaining the momentum in Team Manager tries to dispel finishes out of the medals,
the 800s, it’s the steeplechase thoughts that he may be playing but Amber ensures we’re
no-show, that has us heading the condemned man! represented in the steeplechase
into the relays with work still And so to Sports City and and the 4x400 squad, anchored
to do. a positive start to the day. by Niamh, claim 3rd to ensure
The 4x100m doesn’t let us Not only do we have a full we finish on a positive note.
down, with Maya, Rachel, complement of hurdlers – and Rapid calculations suggest we’re
Modupe and Viv leaving the Becky and Sarah get us off probably safe for promotion
other teams trailing in their to another excellent start – but may not go up as Division
wake. The meeting is then but we might even have the Champions as we finish behind
brought to a successful close steeplechase covered. We also Woodford. But Cardiff do us
by the 4x400 team, who secure have our former UK record a favour by pipping Woodford
a fine 3rd place, thanks, in no holder with us and Montell and 3rd place is indeed good
small part to an impressive doesn’t let us down, cruising enough to win the League. Our
debut by Maya, which is good to victory in the 100m, ably major goal has been achieved,
enough to ensure we return supported by Modupe. With but we still need to work on
home as match winners. a solid run from Kelly in the fielding stronger teams if
800 and help from Amber in we’re to do well back in the
the B string, the opening track Premiership. However, that’s
events are going well, a trend for next year. For now, we
which continues, through deserve to savour the moment.
Issie and Annie, in the sprint Thanks to all concerned,
hurdles and Niamh and Clare in including our dedicated band
the 3000m. The same cannot, of officials and travelling
sadly, be said of the field. We’re supporters and Grace for
missing our Captain and both her healing hands. Thanks
our international triple jumpers. also to John Hubbard for his
Divine produces another shot work in ensuring travel and
and discus double and Annie accommodation worked as
and Anna pick up good 3rd smoothly as they might. And
places in the TJ and discus, thanks to the squad, who
respectively, but most of the did the hard work: Yimika
Manchester other events are make do and Adewakun, Zara Asante,
7th August 2016 mend. Grace even abandons Anna Barnett, Niamh Bridson
her physio’s couch in order to Hubbard, Shaunagh Brown,
We head North for the last ensure we have a B string high Maya Bruney, Kate Curran,
match sitting atop the League jumper. Kerri Davidson, Annie Davies,
knowing that a top 3 finish will Fortunately, the track continues Rachel Dickens, Montell
get the job done. Injuries and to deliver: we do much better Douglas, Clare Elms, Leah
holidays have conspired against this match in the 400s and a Everson, Caroline Ford, Krystal
us: despite unstinting efforts, 2nd from Kelly and B string Galley, Kelly Grant, Isabella
we’re still under-represented win from Niamh in the 1500s Hilditch, Ellie Jamieson, Jess