21 May 2016 - U13/15 -
Southampton
Full
results here...
Difficult weather conditions had little effect on the
Blackheath and Bromley young athletes as they ran, jumped and threw their
way to a strong 2nd position in the UK Youth Development League, just behind
the equally strong home club Southampton AC.
This great result leaves us in 2nd place in the league
and with the next fixture being at our home venue of Norman Park, we hope to
build on this, to hopefully finish in the top two at the end of the season,
thereby qualifying for the National final in September.
The U13 boys had a very successful day with eleven
boys braving the elements and all producing some outstanding performances.
First to compete was Robert Murray, making his UKYDL
debut and he started his day putting the shot a massive 9.43 to win the
competition by nearly 3m. Robert then powered his way to a new personal best
in 200m (27.9) despite there being a strong head wind in the home straight.
Robert had to settle for 2nd in the 100m but more than made for any
disappointment by bringing the relay team home to a brilliant but soggy
victory. Revenge is best serve wet.
Multi eventing Sam Reardon started his day coming 3rd
in the shot put and then showed he has speed and strength as he eased past
his rivals in the last 50m of the 200m, finishing a pleasing 2nd. Sam’s real
strength showed as he dominated the 1500m leading from the front and
controlling the race, crossing the line just outside his best. An impressive
performance considering the wind and rain. Then, with little time to
recover, Sam sped down the back straight as part of the winning relay team.
Jacob Byfield started his day in victorious form,
comfortably winning the hurdles, in unfavourable conditions, not far outside
his best. This bodes well for Jacob and the rest of the season. Jacob’s
versatility helped at his next event, the high jump. With the high jump
landing mat now soaking wet the athletes doing the Fosbury flop landed in
puddles fully on their backs, very uncomfortable. Being wise to this Jacob
opted for the scissor style jump, landing upright on his feet! Remarkably
Jacob was able to add 10cm to his best and stay relatively dry!
This prepared Jacob well as he soared to a big new
personal best and a win in the long jump before teaming up with the relay
boys to post another victory.
Barnaby Corry had another great day of athletics
coming 2nd in the 75m hurdles showing great technique against the wind. Bob
(as many call him), then equalled his best in the damp high jump, Fosbury
style, placing second again and then tasted winning ways in setting the
relay team off to a great start.
Alex Sibley wiped a big chunk off his best in the 800m
running 4 seconds quicker then ever before, in not the best conditions,
winning valuable points for the team. Alex also did some speed work in his
first club 100m race.
Brandon Back knocked nearly 2 seconds off his best in
the 800m as he took two scalps up the home straight to finish an impressive
2nd and again more valuable points towards the overall team score.
Matthew Smith looked dominate in his first 800m for
the club and was pleased with his 2:38.6 time. It was then a quick turn
around and change of number, with hardly enough time for a packet of crisps,
before sprinting against the wind and the rain in the 100m.
Josh Buddle Smith also ran his first 800m for the club
and recorded a new best of 2:48.2 and this was a great warm up for his
javelin competition where he threw just a few cms short of his best but
finished in a strong second place.
Nick Paddington added over two meters to his javelin
personal best getting closer to the elusive 20m mark collecting more
important points for the BB team.
Oliver Robertson had a difficult journey to
Southampton getting caught up in huge tail back on the motorway but unlike
the weather this didn’t dampen his spirits as he ran a quick 100m as a warm
up for the long jump, where he leaped to a fantastic new best, over 4m for
the first time and in doing so securing all important team points.
It was also great to have Thomas Penlington back in
the team for his first competitive race of the summer season and he did well
in a tough 1500m running close to his best PB with a time of 5:11.8.
Our next UKYDL match is our home fixture on Father’s
Day 21st June where we hope to have a BBQ and beer tent, (not just for the
dads) but before that is our next KYAL fixture at Dartford’s blue track on
5th June. More details to follow.
Paul
U13 Boys Team Manager
Photos from Jay Galley
