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Vets Final 2004

Last updated 28 September 2004

Welcome to the Vets or Masters Results for 2004

Team Manager, John R Turner, presents the Winners Trophy to the President, Margaret Baldwin on 12 September 2004

	5 September 2004 - Kent Veteran's League - The Final at Battersea Park photos here... 28-09-04
	16 July 2004 - Kent Veteran's League - Canterbury 5-08-04
	2 July 2004 - Kent Veteran's League - Norman Park 15-07-04
	26/27June 2004 - British Masters - Birmingham 30-06-04
	7 June 2004 - Kent Veteran's League - Ashford 15-06-04
	24 May 2004 - Kent Veteran's League - Bexley 31-05-04
	10 May 2004 - Kent Veteran's League - Sutcliffe Park 20-05-04
	30 April 2004 - Kent Veteran's League - Dartford 11-05-04

SCVAC final Battersea Park .Sunday 5 September 2004

As the holders of the title as southern champions for the last two years, one of my responsibilities was to return the cup to the organisers on the day, so that the presentation could be made to the victorious team, on the day. Imagine my horror in discovering that we had overlooked to engrave the cup the previous year and that there was no record of our achievement. There was only one sensible thing to do. We would have to retain the trophy..............................

On a bright warm and sunny day, a rarity in itself, the B&B veterans men's team presented themselves at Battersea park, ready to engage 6 other county champions. To say that we got off to a good start would be major understatement as we reeled off three straight wins in the sprints. This set the tone for the day as no athlete scored less than third in any event which they would profess a degree of familiarity competence, which excludes your author and the Hammer throw!

There were notable achievements throughout the day, but I am going to single out only two. Firstly, Mike Cronin, who competed in 4 events in the V 60, most of which were over, before he had stood up, but where he secured valuable points and Alan Fairbairn, a V40 debutant, who deputised at short notice and won both shot and discus, a welcome addition to the squad and a father to two proud little Fairbairns, delighted to see their dad winning.

As usual, the success in the event is down to a fantastic team spirit. Nearly everyone competed in multiple events, a number of people travelled considerable distance to be there and several competed in an age group down to secure valuable points. Thanks to all and especially to those who came along to officiate (we need more of you) and to support the team.

Early during the day, we appeared under pressure, but by mid afternoon we had pulled clear and rounded off the day by winning both relays. (There is some dispute whether Tom Phillips encouragement to the last leg runner in the 4 x 100M is within the IOC code!).

We ended the day as comfortable victors and the cup was duly recovered and presented to our president for two sets of engraving.

PS A number of our regular readers may be puzzled to see no reference in the results to the self professed "Simply the best" Silky Ken Daniels. Unfortunately, having been undefeated all season, at his age, he pulled a fetlock and had to be put out to pasture. He advises us that in the words of the Terminator " I'll be back". We wish him a speedy recovery, as the younger team members enjoy his stories of the good old days around the camp fire.

SCVAC Kent League Canterbury 16th July.

The last match of the season. The men's team lost their unbeaten record, but retain the league for the third year running. The ladies can only find a team of three and so lose all hopes of victory.

The men's team had already secured the league title when they went to Canterbury to defend their unbeaten status for this season. Unfortunately, despite a string of notable performances, primarily Neil Ayrtons 12.3 S in the 100M from a standing start, and a series of SBs, they lost by one point, to league runners up Dartford. This demonstrates again the importance of scorers in each event.

The ladies fielded an even more depleted squad and only had 3 athletes to cover all events. Despite this and a number of winning performances, the team spirit is such that they were trying to work out a way to run the relay! ( Someone really needs to let Angie know that their is a B in bang!)

Overall then for the season the Men's team retain the Kent title for the third season running. The ladies put up a very creditable performance in only their first season following promotion to come third. There is more to come next season

The men's team will now be defending the SCVAC final trophy at Battersea on Sunday 5th Sept. I will be looking for the strongest possible squad.

Once again it is time to say thank you to all the athletes which have made this a successful season and great fun along the way and to all the officials and helpers, from this club and others, without whom, none of the events would have been possible.

MENS

LADIES

SCVAC July 2nd Norman Park

The fifth of 6 matches saw the men's team retain their unbeaten record for the season, to take an unassailable lead in the league into the final match on 16th July. The ladies also performed strongly at home, to take second, leaving them second in the lead in their first season in the first Division.

The men's track got off to a fabulous start with 3 firsts and a second in the 3K. Silky Daniels ran his usual impeccable race, to win by 100M and Mike Cronin, debuting for the season, also first.

The 400M saw Neil Ayrton destroy the field as early as 150M to win in 53.4 in wet and windy conditions. Your captain ran an exemplary 370M race, the last 30 Metres required another bag of oats to complete. Colin Monks returned from injury to take 2nd in the V50.

The Hammer cage being broken, Ken said due to localised high winds, it was left to the jumpers to leap two more first and two seconds to secure.

The ladies faced tougher opposition and Diane Ballard nearly fooled us all as she sauntered into Norman Park, just as her race began. Emergency number pinning saw her on track . The girls also scored highly in the four, with 2 firsts and a second.

The jumps let the girls down, with no experts in these disciplines and captain Anne Cilia competing in her second ever pole vault. There was no scorer in the V50 vault, which in the end probably determined the final result.

The ladies also had a 2 K walk to complete, but could not score highly enough against some specialists and in the failing light the judges had a problem seeing who was who. The final result saw the team just 3 points behind the winners but well clear of third place.

STOP PRESS.

Although not competing on the night, one of the squad has recently been in action elsewhere. Paul Featherstone competed in the Father's race at his son's school and tried a little too hard, pulling his hamstring in the process. We wish him a speedy recovery.

MENS

LADIES

26/27June 2004 - British Masters - Birmingham

Men
Over 45’s
1500. 2. Bill Foster 4.18.60

Over 50’s
200. 7. Bob Minting 27.55 (27.4 heat)
800. 2. Bob Minting 2.09.33
Pole Vault. 1. Allan Williams 4.00

Over 55's
5000. 1. Peter Hamilton 18.04.56

Over 65’s
Discus. 2. Colin Brand 36.77
Javelin. 1. Colin Brand 38.87

Over 70’s
80 hurdles. 2. Jim Day 16.91
High jump. 1. Jim Day 1.21
Long jump 2. Jim Day 3.45
Pole vault 1. Jim Day 2.40
Shot. 1. Gordon Hickey 12.21
Discus 2. Gordon Hickey 31.72
Javelin. 2. Gordon Hickey 27.01
Hammer. 4. Gordon Hickey 33.93
Weight. 2. Gordon Hickey 14.07

Women
Over 35’s
100. 3. Angie Alstrachan 14.44
200. 1 Angie Alstrachan 28.49
400. 5. Angie Alstrachan 78.70
400 Hurdles. 2. Angie Alstrachan 73.89

Over 45’s
Discus. 2. Beatrice Simpson 25.10
Javelin 4. Beatrice Simpson 24.79
Hammer. 2. Beatrice Simpson 32.38
Weight. 2. Beatrice Simpson 9.76

SCVAC June 7th at Ashford

The fourth of 6 events was held at Ashford on a glorious sunny evening. Unfortunately most of the athletes spent a large amount of their time sitting on the M20, following a spate of accidents, which delayed the start until after 7.30 pm and consequently meant a late finish for all. Nonetheless, the Men's team maintained their winning ways and the Ladies also won, increasing the pressure at the head of their league.

A number of throws were already under way by the time Neil Ayrton slipped on his spikes for the 200M, running 24.6s from a standing start and no warm up for second. Your team manager improved by half a second from the opening fixture to take third in a blanket finish, with Tom Phillips also 2nd in the V50. The 1500 brought very strong performances from Mark Ellison and Con Griffin in their first races at this distance for some time and an imperious display from Ken Daniel, who won by 15 seconds, improving by 17 seconds on the opening fixture. Dave White in his first track outing since last September also scored good points, grabbing second spot. The track was rounded off by an eventful 4 x 400 M , starting well after 10pm, with a squad best described as scratch. Good points from the jumpers and throwers, notably Colin Brand carried us home.

The Ladies also started strongly in the sprints, with welcome signs of Maureen Miller returning to fitness. Diane Ballard was a few seconds down on her previous time, but secured the same position, second, as did team manger Ann Cillia in the B string. The ladies rounded off the night with an emphatic victory in the relay, winning by 16 seconds... a whole straight. Hopefully a picture will follow.

Beatrice Simpson again scored good points in the throws, with two seconds. She was supported by Helen Godsell and Nannette Cross, all covering unusual events for them, but gaining valuable points to gain victory by one point. The overall result in the ladies league is now very close. The ladies are third, but with only 2 points separating first from fourth, there is everything to play for in the remaining fixtures.

The next match is our home fixture, at Norman Park, on Friday 2nd July. We will need to provide officials for the triple jump and assistance and helpers for Mike Davies. As an incentive there should be some guest slots in the 3 K which is the first event of the evening. The meeting starts at 6.45 pm, traffic permitting! Everyone welcome.

Men

Ladies

SCVAC May 24th at Erith

The third match of the season complete and the men's team remain unbeaten and head the league. The ladies, missing a full complement of scorers of the more mature kind are never the less, still outside the relegation zone, thanks to the strength of those that are competing.

The men's event saw two less experienced throwers (Turner and Wallington) both launch the discus to second place, for surprise points. The sprints saw Ricky Fox up against a sub 12 second runner, but holding his form well in second. Tom Phillips has decided to make a habit of winning and your team captain, strolled down the straight waving to the crowds. The 800m saw a demonstration of his current form from Neil Ayrton, who won by 11 seconds and a fine run from Mark Ellison, who thought he was in a sprint. The V50 race was controlled by Ken Daniel, showing a welcome return to his best form for some years, when recording a blistering 2m 22s. Our long jumpers secured good points, each leaping further than the corresponding fixture last year. The night was rounded off by a second place in the 2x 200M relay, just 0.4s outside the club record.

The ladies got of to a great start in the 100M with Angie Alstrachen flying off on the B of the Bang to take first by the thickness of her new B&B vest. Team captain Anne Cilia ran faster than a year ago, showing that track training does pay off and Helen Godsell coasted the V50 event, saving herself for a winning long jump.

It was a welcome return to Maureen Miller in the 800m, returning from injury and Angie keeping up her winning streak in the b string. Super woman Anne, then tried her hand at the Pole Vault (someone had to), with a ten minute coaching session from JR.

Bernie Simpson, continue to dominate in the throws with a solid discus for first place. The girls then showed the others how to sprint, winning the relay by 5 seconds.

With the first 4 places on the night covered by only 4 points, just one point from the four events not covered, would have seen the ladies equal first on the night.

Men

Ladies

SCVAC 10th May Sutcliffe Park

The second meeting of the season saw the sun shining on a second victory for the men's team, with no position lower than third, but the ladies struggling with only half a team, could only turn out scorers in the V35 age group.

The closure of the A2 led to a late start and consequently a finish under lights, but this could not darken the spirit of our walkers, each of whom came first. Shaun Lightman, won by over 2 1/2 minutes and Steve Hollingdale, in the B leg recording a time, which would have been fast enough for outright victory.

The Jumpers and vaulters were also in fantastic form with 4 firsts and a second from 5 events, notably Alan Hardy with two wins, returning from British league duty on Saturday in Cardiff. 70 yr old Jim Day won the V60 pole vault, with a leap which would have won the age group below.

That thoroughbred amongst the runners, Ken Daniel, decided not to score as he had a problem with his fetlock and pulled up at half distance, allowing Pete Hamilton to secure third. Roy Smith made his debut as a "master" recording second.

Neil Ayrton recorded an impressive 54.1s in the 400M, tuning up for his 800M at the next meeting on 24th at Erith and Graham Coates reminded everyone why he is a 400M record holder with V50 victory in his first timed one lap for over a year.

The ladies were hamstrung by only having half a team. The return of team captain Ann Cilia, was offset by an injury to Helen Godsell. Of those who competed, all positions were third or better, but it was not enough to cover for the missing events. With more cover this could be a strong team.

A number of athletes are either new to track and field , or are making a return after some years. Dianne Ballard, came a close second in the 5 K, but with more experience will do better. Angie Alstrachen remains hyper enthusiastic with a first and a second as she returns to competition.

A special thanks to all those who helped officiate on the night. In addition to the competitors who helped out, these include Rob Brown and Con Griffin, without whose help we could not have covered the Triple Jump.

SCVAC AT DARTFORD 30TH APRIL.

The first match of the new season saw the current SCVAC men's champions continue their winning ways and the newly promoted women's team storm to a comfortable victory, despite the absence of team captain, mascot and shot putter Anne Cillia.

The men's team had enjoyed a sting of first and second places in the throws and the jumps and were never less than 3rd in a track event. Paul Featherstone secured a 1. 2 on his 41st birthday and Peter Hamilton, returning from injury made a valiant effort in the V40 1500M, despite being seven years outside the age group. Neil Ayrton, warming up for the 4 x100M and silky Ken Daniels plotted tactical victories also in the 1500M, but I can't tell you the time, because Ken has asked that his youngest son should not be told! Your team captain and correspondent nearly lost the relay for the team, when using Parcel force to pass the baton over on the final leg (better safe than sorry).

The ladies team welcomed 4 new members, the first V60 and I think a club record for the 4 X 100M. (Where are the ladies veterans records?) Of the new girls, Angie Alstrachen enjoyed her running, and then expended more energy jumping with delight when her times were announced. Simone Laidlow (nee Gandy) had a first and second & Dianne Ballard two firsts. Helen Godsell had two firsts and then ran the 1500M for the points, but she got lost somewhere on the 3rd leg as this distance is about twice her usual weekly mileage.

The second Match was at Sutcliffe park on 10th May. Results will follow shortly. The next match is on Monday 24th May at Erith.

Please make yourself known to Anne or me if you fancy an 800M, or can long jump. (6 metre jumpers particularly welcome!) Guest runners are usually welcome in each event and we can always use officials and helpers for the field events.