Our Juniors Were in Supreme Form for our 2nd EYAL Match.

What a difference a day makes. Whilst the seniors struggled with a shortage of athletes the team managers had the problem as to who should be declared as the scorers such was the turnout for the EYAL League fixture at Watford. Of course there is no problem when competitors are all under 17 and not yet attending Universities around the UK.

Having won the first fixture at Norwich they now took a second win scoring 827 points with two clubs who had also won their first meetings taking second and third - Shaftesbury 762 and Havering 701. Other clubs were St Albans 512, Watford 472, Bedford Lions 305 and the combined Orion and Ilford team with 286. The league table now puts us ahead with 14 league points and 1671 match points ahead of Norwich on 13  (1547) Shaftesbury 13 (1475), SS Athletics/Enfield 13 (1374), Havering 12 (1467) and in 6th spot Ipswich 11 (1246).

Let’s remember we defeated Norwich on their home ground in the opening meeting of the season. Our next fixture, at home, includes SS Athletics/Enfield and Ipswich as visitors. Obviously such an outstanding win is down to results from each of the age groups but leading the way we must give the under 17 girls pride of place. From the sprints Alicija Yalaju placed second in both the 100 and 200 metres but it paved the way for Josephine Walsh and Jasmin Lunn to take the `B`string races. On the track this trend continued first over 300m with Lily Hartman and Stephanie Smith and then 800m via Isla Kehoe and Hattie Blackburn (both running up as they are U15). The 1500m saw a victory for Jorjia March whilst the hurdles brought maximum points from Amelia Scott and Chelsea Clarke. Chelsea also combined with Alicija Yalaju for full points in the  high jump and also placed second in the long jump with Amelia Scott winning the `B`string.. Amelia was also involved in a maximum haul in the shot putt where Monica Malagala had her first in a double as she also won the discus as she was partnered with Madison Poulter. For good measure Monica also placed second in the hammer. In the javelin Lily Hartman and Amy Pugsley dropped only one point,  No surprise that such depth should bring about a success in the 4  x 100 relay.

From the under 15 girls it was full points from the 100 and 200 with Abigail McElroy taking the leading role whilst Abigail Nwakoe won the `B` 100 and Katie Lowe the 200.  Ava King finished second in the 800 - a position she also occupied in the 300 - with Isabella Eida winning the `B` string 800.  Full points came in the 1500 metres with Erin Kelly and Francesca Phillips our pairing. Shindara Adeyemo won the shot putt with Timmy Osei second in the `B`,  A placing also taken in the discus and hammer. The javelin found Zenobia Williams placing second with Maddie Moss winning the second string.  The end of the meeting brought another relay win.

In the under 13 girls only one point dropped from the discus with Una Purcell and Sofia Lawrence, the pair also taking good placings in the shot putt whilst Sofia also placed second in the javelin. There was a first place from Brooke Nowell in the high jump whilst from the track there was promise by Bella Kehoe over 800 metres.

For the under 13 year boys William Becker`s 100 metres second place in the 100 metres was the best on the track but the field events brought maximum points from the discus via Franklin and Myles Osei. Myles also took third in the javelin in which Jack Armbruster won the `B` string having been second in the long jump with Stanley Adams also getting second in the `B`, The shot putt also brought two second spots with Franklin Johnson  and Daniel Sheriff.

The under 15 boys saw a glut of first positions taken. Bevan Dove was in fine form with wins in the hammer and discus, in the later Nat Vickers won the `B` string. Bevan also took third in the shot with George Dixon first in the`B`. George was second in the hurdles with Jake Read winning the `B` Full points came via the high jump with Jake this time with Ed Delaney his partner.  On the track it was maximum points from the 1500 metres with Fred Ferman and Jack Boarer, over 800 metres Khaya Fakazi took second place.

To the under 17`s and there were first places for Jeremy Anderson, shot putt, and Zak Williams, javelin, in the field events. On the track Joe Delaney was second over 800m with Daniel Pollard in pole position for the `B` race.  Daniel was later to finish second over the 400m distance. The 1500m also gave second and first placings - Austin Kelly and Max Chivers our pairing in this event.

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Report written by Roy Meadowcroft