Page 13 - Summer2018Gazette

Club Athletics 13

Admirable acquittal in
Castellon
Finally the big day came. The
first time ever that both junior
men and women’s squads from
the same British club have
represented the country in the
European Clubs final. For the
B&B junior men it represented a
massive step up in class against
the top 8 clubs in Europe,
many of them with pockets far
deeper than our own and squads
littered with full internationals.
Ethan Brown producing his trademark surge to take victory in the 400m. For the entire squad though,
including the travelling reserves,
Collecting the trophy at Reynolds-Warmington (U17 the whole weekend was an
Bedford 100/200), Pedro (PV and jave- amazing experience both on and
The national final at Bedford lin) and Ben Hawkes (HT and off the track and one that all
saw us pitted against teams from DT) as well as countless other will want to do again next year
Rugby & Northampton, Bath, wins and great performances. in Portugal.
Glasgow, Edinburgh and our Against the best teams in the
North London nemesis Shaft- UK the B&B boys amassed an Despite the shocking weather
esbury. On paper it looked like astonishing 18 A-string wins in Castellon the squad acquitted
the junior men could have a real and 11 B-string wins. All that themselves admirably, cheered
fight on their hands if they were was left was for captain Matt on by coaches, family and club
to retain their title and gain the Knight to collect the trophy and supporters in the stands; and
opportunity to represent GB in the celebrations could begin. by others back home watching
Europe for another time. Com- on Eurosport. There were three
eth the hour as they say…what Success throughout the season terrific 2nd places for Alex
happened next has to go down was thanks to the entire squad O’CB (400H), Angus (800m)
and Ricky Lutakome (1500m)
as one of the most remarkable of around 80 committed athletes and just two wins on the day.
performances by the squad in a ranging from internationals Ethan Brown produced his
very long time. to those stepping up from trademark late surge to take
parkrun, as well as the support victory in the 400 and he later
Across every event the B&B returned to anchor a win with
lads were immense, battling for and encouragement of their Ollie, Ricky and Oscar in the
every point with real determi- dedicated coaches, family and 4×4. Their time of 3:17.51 was
nation and showing a fantastic other supporters. It was never the fastest by a B&B junior
team spirit and sportsmanship going to be easy selecting just 20 squad for 20 years and put them
throughout the day. From the or so for the trip to Spain and second in the national rankings
very first event when Alex for the many athletes that had (to the GB squad). In the end we
O’Callaghan Brown and Josh given their all for the side but were just 4th by a single point
Watson took both string wins weren’t on the plane, ultimately but nevertheless a performance
in the 400 hurdles it was a a huge disappointment. Their of which the entire squad can
dominant performance. There chance will come if they contin- be proud.
were double A string wins ue to perform as well as they did
for Ethan (400/200), Kyle this season. Rod Harrington