A Disappointing Turnout & Result but Valliant Displays by Those that Competed at Basingstoke.

It was a disappointing turnout for the season’s opening Southern League fixture - resulting of course to a disappointing result at Basingstoke.

1st TVH 338 points, 2nd Harrow 283, 3rd Wycombe 273,  4thBasingstoke, 5th Chelmsford 245, 6th Blackheath. With no fewer than fifteen of those members gaining medals in the Essex Championships senior and under 20`s just a week earlier missing out here we were unable to fill out 13 positions despite gallant efforts by some in attendance doing numerous events. Kevin Wilson did his usual shot putt (1st) and discus (2nd) events but also won the `B` string hammer an placed 5th in the javelin. Zion Ateba set a pb in the hurdles with 15.15s whilst also contesting the long  jump (2nd), high jump (4th). Shot  putt (3rd) and javelin (3rd) whilst Luke Keteleers topped this with six events including a first place in the `B` string discus. There were fine individual performances with wins by Jacob Alexander in the 800 metres (1m 55.85s), Ben Felton taking the 5000m (15m 55.84s) and Bradley Reed winning the high hurdles (15.20s). Yasha Bobash won the hammer with 45.96m. It was a second place for Archie Sims in the 400m hurdles and with a pb of 56.19s Edward Hughes won the `B` string in this event. There were a `pair` of seconds from the steeplechase via Seb Cirillo and Ken Hoye. Stephen Adesina also took a second spot in the long jump.

From the women's events Kiera Atkinson was the only `A` string winner taking the 3000m with Sophie McCall 3rd in the `B`having already contested the 800m and triple jump. Maegan Hopkins placed second in both shot and discus - in the later Maddison Poulter from the under 17 age group took the `B` string. One cannot overlook the efforts of over 50 veteran   Wendy King filling in places over 800m, 1500m, steeplechase AND even in the 100 metres.

For the image gallery click here.   

Report written by Roy Meadowcroft                       

There was a Gold Rush on at the County Championships.

The Essex County Championships provided us with  two glorious days of athletics with the sun shining throughout and the stars shone as well, no I am not hallucinating for here I refer to the competitors.

Chelmsford provided their share towards this coming away with a total of no fewer than 38 gold medallists. Add to this 24 silvers and 18 bronze amounts to a grand haul. Seven members completed a double, Sophie Catchpole, Kevin Wilson, Maegan Hopkins, Sam Wright, Amelia Scott , Ava King and Matilda Hewitt who in the shot putt set a new championship record.

There may be some disappointed that they are not listed below  for these are all finalists  although it was noted that personal bests were recorded in heats but which not take them further, well done to those but a line had to be made.   

Gallery for day 1 here

Gallery for day 2 here 

Report written and compiled by Roy Meadowcroft.

Our 2025 EYAL Campaign Gets of to a Flying Start.

When the EYAL fixtures came out it looked that our opening meeting would test our record of achieving 800 plus points with the lengthy journey to Norwich who are obviously very strong on their home soil.

That the home club should come up with a score of 811 points is testament of this - but with excellent team work throughout the age groups, boys and girls, we eclipsed that with 844 thus continuing our winning ways over the past two seasons. Othe club scores  Stevenage 569,  Cobra ( a combined Colchester/Braintree) 552, Bedford 501, West Suffolk 255 and Bedford Lions 153. Personnel bests were gained right through the range of events. William Bruns and Raphael Fapchunda from the under 13 boys both achieved this in both sprint races as did James Pollard (800) and Dylan Law in the 1500 metres.. Over the hurdles Toby Stothard and Hugo Randal took maximum points. Whilst winning ways continued on the track with the under 13 girls - Felicity Charles (100), Leila Robinson (800) with Bella Kehoe (1500) the throws were bringing many points with pb`s all the way from Una Purcell, Sofia Lawrence and Kylie Kayendo covering the shot, discus and javelin.

To the under 15 girls and it was a busy day for Shindra Ayo-Ademo with the 300 metres, hurdles and the high jump. Again the throws were producing a good addition to the points tally via Olivia Mullineaux, Saya Saunders and Maddie Moss. On the track maximum points from Abigail McElroy and Abigail Nwakur over the 100 metres with Isabella Eida winning the 1500 metres. With the boys Khaya Fakazi and George Dixon doubled up over 300 and 800 metres with great success. Bevan Dove came away with three pb`s via the shot, discus and hammer whilst Edward Delaney in the high jump recorded a pb.

At under 17 level Harry Lee continues coming up with pb`s here over 100m and the hurdles. Oscar Dove had a rare double of high jump and hammer. Over 800 metres there were wins for Ben Smith and Joe Delaney whilst at 1500m Thomas Carter and Max Chivers dropped only one point. Tommy Hewitt in the discus and javelin was another bettering his previous bests.

Finally to the under 17 girls and no surprise to find Matilda Hewitt, Monica Malagala and Maddison Poulter dominating the throws,  for Amelia Scott there was a double from the long and triple jumps, Georgia Clark and Alicja Yalaju took the high jump points. On the track and here Lily Hartman with Nicole Hawkins each won over 300 metres with Amelie Shipton taking the 1500 metre event. Over the hurdles and here yet again Amelie Scott was number one with Milana Thorpe taking the `B` string event

It is worth noting that in our next fixture at Watford we come up against Shaftesbury and Havering each winners in that first series of meetings,  should make an interesting encounter.

Report written by Roy Meadowcroft