Track & Field Heat 4 - Monkton

[Tue 3rd Aug 2010]

The green and gold joined forces with the green and white for the final showdown of the season at Monkton Stadium, Jarrow. Although in a strong position for promotion as the top two go up, the thought of going up as champions was the inspiration for the day. Second placed Scarborough fielded a very strong team in the hope of overturning our lead. Testament to that is the fact they won the match with the highest winning points total of the year.

It was not enough though to dampen the high spirit shown throughout the season by the division 4E CHAMPIONS, who finished second on the day a mere 8 points behind. Everyone involved; competitor, official, helper and supporter played their part in what has been a most enjoyable season. A comment made to Martin Telford at the end of the match by league secretary Stuart Pailor, summed it up "today has been grass roots athletics at its best" True and every team in the league should be proud of that. Good luck to those teams and I hope you all made some friends along the way.

After a very strong start on the track by our 400m Hurdlers Craig Birch and Phil Jones, both picking up 2nd spots and Phillipa Baxter 3rd, it was business as usual as the track programme got underway.

For the men, outdone by the women in terms of victories, it was young Chris Lillico who recorded the only win on the day with a high jump of 1.70. A string of 2nd placed performances, following on with Craig Birch adding three more to his 400mH in the Long Jump, Triple Jump and 110mH. Dave Rowe also clinching 2nd in the `B` string Long Jump. Flat 400m 2nd`s came from Chris Lillico and Martin Telford respectively. Simon Gibbs adapted well to the 1500m `B` , as did `DD` David Daniels 2nd in the 5000m, in what was his first appearance this year. Another debutant Terry Hart lifted one of many 3rd placed performances in the `B` Shot and ever present Rob Kirtley the only other male field competitor to pick up 3rd in the `B` Discus.

Stalwart Tony Maddocks ground out 3rd in the `B` 5000m whilst a more gruelling time was to be had for our Steeplechasers Dave Moir `A` string who still managed 3rd despite an Ironman 6 days before and ever willing Ian Baxter 3rd in the B. Chris Lillico just edged out of 2nd in the 200m and finally Simon Gibbs finished a strong 3rd in the 800m `B`

Solid performances by Eric Smart, youngster Jake Janson and throwers Ralph Dickinson and Ken Turnbull all amassing valuable points.

Danielle Hodgkinson continued her dominance of the women's 1500m this year winning all her races. Youngster Rebecca Nail nailed the triple jump and Laura Murphy elevated herself to 1st in the `B` High Jump to conclude the wins. Once again as with the men there was a series of 2nd and 3rd placed finishes cementing a solid team performance.

The winner of the most 2nd placed efforts has to go Stephanie Ramsay, celebrating 4 in total including the 100 and 200m the Triple Jump and the Hammer!...... Hammer! Emma THOR Walton extended her p.b. in the `B` event and also threw a mean Javelin to 2nd in the `A` string. Other 2nd placed contenders were Lisa Dean `B` Discus and Sarah Cawthorn `B` Shot Putt. Rebecca Nail rounded on two 3rd placed jumps in the Long and High Jumps. Phillipa Baxter and Emma Walton 3rd place in the 400mH and 400m respectively.

`B` string 3rd places were achieved by Helen Morris in the 1500 and Lisa Dean in the Javelin. Other sterling performances by Stacy Davidson, Crystal Skeldon, Julie Hind, Vicki Hindson and last but not least Alison Lowes all contributed greatly to the teams` success.

Finally what can I say about relays? The fitting finales to the day. After defeating Tynedale at Hexham the Tynedale lads were determined to beat our teens/fifties blend of speed and experience. Even though, Eric Smart onto Chris Lillico blasting down the back straight handed off perfectly (take note team GB) to Craig Birch gave Martin Telford a 6 metre lead going onto the final straight, a nippy Lea Stevenson admitted he thought he was not going to catch him, he eventually ran Martin down. At 48 dead the fastest ever time for Blyth/Wallsend gives the team a target for next year.

There is something about our women's 4x400m that inspire, a never give up attitude. Vicki Hindson and Emma Walton had the team right up there, and the best of Phillipa Baxter’s valiant efforts did leave Danielle Hodgkinson with a bit to do, but what an exciting finish as Dynamite Dan tore up the ground between her and the leader and almost pulled off an amazing win. That team can be proud to now hold the fastest 4x400 time in the joint colours. Here is to as much fun next year as we have had this! Thanks to all involved.

Martin Telford (Team manager)

Match result

1 Scarborough 404pts
2 Wallsend / Blyth 394
3 Middlesborough / Hartlepool 336
4 Blaydon 283
5 Tyndale 236
6 Houghton 234
7 Richmond & Zetland 178

League Positions (after 3 matches)

1 Wallsend / Blyth 25pts
2 Scarborough 24
3 Middlesborough / Hartlepool 20
4 Tynedale 13
5 Houghton 12
6 Blaydon / Elswick 11
7 Richmond & Zetland 7

Full results can be found at http://www.noeaa-athletics.org.uk (opens in new window)