Six club athletes helped the Essex ladies team to victory at the Inter Counties Championships at Bedford this weekend.  Louise Matthews’ fine form continued as she threw 45.76m for third place in the javelin. Two other throwers were in action but were a little down on their usual results. Mel Harrison was 13^th in the discus with 36.91m and Sarah Deacon whose 41.76m hammer effort placed her 14^th. Chloe van Wulven suffered travel problems on the way to Bedford and arrived too late to warm up, and was also below her usual performances, placing 11^th in 1.60m. Faye Fullerton’s recovery continued as she placed sixth in the 1500m with a 4m 27.97s clocking. Also placing sixth was Harriet Scott who clocked 2:13.19s in the 800m.  added 30/05/06  

The senior women edged out Aldershot to place second in their Division 1 fixture in wet & windy conditions at Southampton on Saturday, but the result was clouded by a back injury to international Kate Brewington. The senior throws were key to the team's success with Mel Harrison winning hammer B (new PB) & shot A and placing 2nd in the discus, Louise Matthews & Emma Christmas winning both javelin strings, Sarah Deacon placing second in hammer & shot B, plus a surprise win in the B high jump, and Lynsey Clark second in B discus and third in the triple jump. Hannah Gamester won the B long jump and was second in the B pole vault, with Claire Brennan setting PB for second in the B, and also second in the sprint hurdles. The u15s were unable to record any wins but the small team battled well to cover most events and recorded key second and third places.  added 21/05/06  

Strong field events backed up by solid track results ensured an unexpected victory for the Men's Southern League Div 3 team at Hendon on Saturday. Arron Bonning helped himself to a hat-trick of victories in 1110h, long jump & pole vault, Kevin Deacon & Lee Arrowsmith made it a hammer double, and each added victories in the B shot and B high jump respectively. Darron Keevil tackled three events, winning the B discus. Veteran Ian Chamberlain - recently awarded life membership - dusted down his spikes to win B pole vault, 110 hurdles & 400m hurdles, and fellow vet Paul Berrett was also busy in four events, winning the 400m hurdles A. Martin Chester gallantly competed in all four middle distance events, placing second in the steeplechase. Junior Danny Nunn and newcomer James Harris scored well in the sprints. The win went some way to erasing the last place finish in round 1.  added 21/05/06  

Two winning performances from 16-year-olds Eugene Ayanful and Anthony Williams failed to inspire a weak senior men's team at a rain-soaked Newham today. Eugene's fine form continued as he got the verdict in 100m was runner up in the 200m. Anthony notched up his first victory against senior opposition as he again improved his long jump best to 6.37m, and he later extended his triple jump PB.  Skipper Mark Bishop added a brace of wins with B successes in the long jump and javelin, also placing 2nd in the pole vault and adding points in three other events. Sam Harrison was victorious in the Javelin A. Danny Gamester returned from a knee operation for 2nd in the hammer and Kevin Benton returned to his favoured 400m hurdles event after his recent London marathon effort, finishing 2nd.  In the A 400mH Phil Tierney again improved his PB. But eight last places proved costly and the team ended the day in fourth. added 21/05/06  

Louise Matthews set a new club javelin record as she was one of three club athletes to win javelin gold, Bonne Buwembo (U17 in a new CBP) and Georgie Bean (U15B) were the others. Nicola Hill made it a hat-trick of gold medals in PB performances when she added 300m hurdles and long jump wins to her 80m hurdle win on Saturday. Frankie Calder won U17 300m gold in a new PB and Chloe Van Wulven was u20 high jump champion. Eleanor Bounds smashed her 800m PB with the 3rd best ever time by a club u13 girl of 2m 24.52s and Rebecca O'Neill's 2m 28.31s in third took her into the all-time top-10. Other wins were gained by Rob Warner (3k s/chase) and Anthony Williams (U20 triple jump). added 14/05/06 & updated 15/5/06  

Faye returned to winning ways after an injury enforced break to take 1500m gold at the Essex Championships in fine conditions at Chelmsford today. Behind her Harriet Scott also returned to the track after injury to set an new PB in 4th. Kirsty Smith set a new club U20 & senior triple jump record of 11.71m but it was only good enough for second. She did win the long jump however! Eugene Ayanful beat the 11secs barrier for 100m in winning u17 gold, but the wind was over the allowable limit. Scott Spencer emerge victorious in the men's 400m final. Nicola Hill & Frankie Calder both set PBs on their way to 80m hurdles gold & bonze while Chris Warden won bronze in a new PB in the U17M 100mH. Katie Richardson won bronze in the U20W 1500m and Kate Brewington struck senior long jump gold. Lucy Sargent was another athlete returning from an injury lay off - she was 2nd in the u20 100m. Matt Bloy set a new PB in claiming U17M 800m silver. Mel Harrison was runner up in the senior discus & third in the shot. added 13/05/06 & updated 14/05/06  

The Eastern YAL team won their opening fixture from local rivals Chelmsford at St Albans on Sunday. Georgie Bean's outstanding u15 javelin throw of 50.20m was the second furthest in UK this year by am U15, an English School's qualifier and and 2nd on club all-time list. Also riding high was Eleanor Bounds whose 1500m 2nd place in 5m 08.3s was a five second improvement on her PB and fifth best ever by a club u13 and faster than both u15 & u17 winning times. The u17 boys racked up 11 wins, the U15 girls 8 victories and the points kept rolling as the team finished over 60 points clear.  added 08/05/06  added 10/05/06  

Some fantastic individual results were the highlight of the first National Junior League fixture at Hendon today. The Ladies notched up five wins with Katie Richardson & Hayley Stibbs taking maximum points in the 1500m, Helen Roche (800m) and Megan Foley (3000m) taking full B string middle distance points and Chloe van Wulven winning the B high jump and also setting 400m hurdles & pole vault PBs. Bethan Siddons made an impressive debut with a high jump PB for 2nd A, and adding another PB in the triple jump. In the throws Emma Christmas was javelin runner up by just 5cms and Lauren Newton was second in the B discus. For the depleted men's side Ashley Reece impressed with a front running 1500m A win and Eugene Ayanful set PBs in both 100m & 200m.  added 07/05/06 & updated 10/5/06 

There was a golden finale to Day 1 of the Essex Champs at windswept Ilford today as Frankie Calder & Eugene Ayanful both struck gold in the final track final, the U17 200s. Frankie impressed with her 26.69s into a stiff headwind and Eugene literally ran away to win, 7-10ths up on the opposition in 22.71s. In the field there was an U15 throws double for Kike Oniwinde in the javelin (25.99m) and Jessica Humpheryes in the discus (27.99m) , with Becky Luck second.  One of the best races of the day was in the U13 girls 1200m where Eleanor Bounds dipped under four minutes to go fifth on the club all-time list, as Rebecca O'Neill was third in 4m 01.35, for sixth best club all-time. Ben Western was close to his day-old best when winning U13 long jump silver (4.46m).  Sophie Baggs again improved her high jump PB top 1.30 for U13 bronze, and Catrina McAuliffe also won U17 discus bronze with a season's best (27.98m), as did Georgie-Lou Sales in the U17 javelin (26m?). Bronze also went to Ingrid Deane in the U17 women's 1500m. added 01/05/06  added 02/05/06

A series of good individual results could not stop the National Young Athletes Team bringing up the rear in their Southern Premier Division fixture at Reading today. The U13 boys contributed six wins with Ben Western winning both B sprints and the A long jump, while Charlie Smith clinched an A sprint double. The duo also formed half the winning sprint relay squad. There were five wins for the u15 boys as Brad Burr won both javelin & hammer B strings, as Georgie Bean won the A javelin. Simon Brown & John Whitehead doubled up for 1500m maximum points. Catrina McAuliffe won three events for the U17 women, with B string successes in 80m hurdles, shot & discus and Nicola Hill (80m hurdles A) & Bethan Siddons (HJ A) made it five wins in the age group. The u13 Girls performed strongly with four wins as Rebecca O'Neill and Eleanor Bounds were again victorious with respective 800m & 1200m wins. Nicola Peachey won the B 800m and Sophie Baggs the B high jump. For the U15 Girls there was discus delight as Jess Humpheryes and Sam Hill both won, and Kike Oniwinde again claimed a javelin win. Chris warden's impressive 100m hurdles debut was the only victory for a depleted u17 men.  added 30/04/06  added 30/04/06

Despite leading for much of the match the Southern Men's Division One team held on to finish equal third in the closely contested opening round at Mayesbrook today.  Scott Spencer was the only home track winner, shrugging off an injury to take the 400m. There was a stronger field event showing as Kevin Deacon & Joe Forde took an A & B hammer maximum, with Joe's 42.49m PB the 2nd best by a club u20, and vet Stuart Tufton took the B vault. Eugene Ayanful went to third on the club U17 all-time rankings with his 11.1s 100m PB and Sam Harrison added another javelin PB.  But the gaps cost them dearly, with Matt Russell's late withdrawal after feeling a hamstring twinge while warming up, added to the woes. added 29/04/06   added 30/04/06

The Southern Men's Division Three team face their annual battle after just five athletes contested the first round fixture at Stevenage on Saturday. Between them the quintet - Arron Bonning, Lee Arrowsmith, Andrew Tierney, Luchien Anderson and Kevin White - did enough to cover the 50% of events needed to avoid automatic relegation but without any middle distance runners last place was always inevitable. Best points came in the hammer where Lee Arrowsmith's PB earned A string second and Tierney won the B. added 01/05/06

Rob Dickenson carved ten minutes off his marathon best to finish in 2 hours 52m and 32s on Sunday, moving up to 13th on the club all-time rankings. Behind him Martin Chester ran well to finish in a PB of 3h 03m 14s to go 15th all-time. Three other club members took part. Graham Foster finished in 3:37.55, with marathon debutants Jo Sullivan (3:38:09 for third best female all-time) and Kevin Benton (3:39:16 - for 26 miles further than his usual 400m hurdles event) not far behind.  added 25/04/06

There were no wins but four top three finishes and a host of excellent results as club athletes contested the London Boroughs Mini marathon today. Defending champion Katie Richardson had to settle for second this year in the Girls 15-17 category and Georgie Lou Sales was just one place back in third. Eleanor Bounds was an excellent third in the Girls 11 & 12 event, one place ahead of Sidnie Sales. In the Boys 15-17 race Ashley Reece (B & D) placed third, with Matt Bloy in fifth and Ingrid Deane was also fifth in the Girls 13 & 14 race.  These results suggest the Havering borough team appear well placed to win again in the overall team event.  

 

In the race proper Martin Chester ran well to finish in a PB of 3h 03m 14s. Three other club members took part. Graham Foster finished in 3:37.55, with marathon debutants Jo Sullivan (3:38:09) and Kevin Benton (3:39:16) not far behind.  added 24/04/06

Pic: www.esaa.net

The efforts of hard-working club officials have been recognised when they won two categories in the UK Athletics' London Regional Club Awards. These awards recognise and reward Clubs, Volunteers, Officials, Coaches and Partnerships for their contribution to athletics throughout the preceding 12-month period and reflect the dedication of thousands of people working in athletics across the UK. Club Chairman Doug Tierney and Secretary Jean Tierney won the Strategic Leader category for volunteers, while Sam Harrison followed in the footsteps of last year's winner Claire Brennan in winning the Young Volunteer Award. Their nominations will now go forward for consideration with other Regional Winners. The overall UK Club Winners will be announced later in the year and presented at the UK Club Awards Dinner.  added 7/03/06

The indoor season ended at the weekend with a series of good performances by club hurdlers and sprinters.  Just three club youngsters contested the AAAs age group championships for u15s, u17s and U20s held at Birmingham. Nicola Hill just missed out on a final place in the u17 women's 60m hurdles. She qualified from a tough heat as fastest loser but despite improved run in the semi final with a 9.19s clocking she was just one place off making a high quality final. Anthony Williams also faced tough opposition in the u20 men's equivalent and came away with a new PB of 8.80s, placing fifth in his heat. The third club athlete who competed was Eugene Ayanful whose 60m sprint effort of 7.32s in the u17 men's category saw him progress to the semi finals, where he was a shade slower and missed out on the final. Meanwhile four club athletes made the shorter trip to Eton for the Windsor Indoor Open. Lisa Schofield emerged with PBs in both the 60m sprint (8.16s) and slashed her hurdles best by half a second, with 9.32s in the u20/senior event.  Lisa had a close contest with clubmate Chloe van Wulven who got the verdict in 9.30s, a time which Chloe improved to a season's best of 9.2s in the second race of the series. Claire Brennan clocked a season's best time of 9.4s and also showed improved sprint form with 8.45s. In the u17 women's event Frankie Calder improved her hurdles PB to 9.53s and was fractionally outside her sprint PB with 8.26s.   added 7/03/06

The senior men ended their winter season in style when they gained another silver in the Essex Road relays, to add to their earlier haul. After last week's low turn out it was business as normal as a dozen clubmen made up three full teams of four. Peter Coates led off for the A team and did well to hang on to the leading group to bring the team home in 10th with his 19m 53s clocking. Rob Dickenson was in close order for the B team in 12th with 20:16 while Graham Pritchard's 21:35 opener placed the C team 19th. On the second stage Steve Rand hammered out a useful 20:21 leg to gain four places to hand over sixth. Martin Chester clocked 21:11 for the B team and Neill Collins came home in 21:34 for the C squad.  Trevor Keys was by far the fastest HMAC runner on the day as his superb 18:54 on the third leg brought the A team into medal contention, in second. Jason Lendon's 20:23 B team effort showed he is returning from injury and Russ Middleton kept the C team pot boiling with 23:27. With Colchester closing in on victory the pressure was on  Gavin Maley to come out on top in a close battle with Chelmsford and Basildon for the minor medals. Not fazed by the challenge of Basildon's England International Nick Wetheridge Maley held his composure like the experience athlete that he is and broke away over the final furlong to bring home silver, finishing in 19:54.  Tony Collins' great anchor of 20:33 ended the B team's proceedings on a high note and the C team was brought home by a game Ian Anthony who although still injured stepped in at the last minute to complete the quartet, clocking 22:53. added 5/03/06

A trio of senior men made up for the previous day's poor turn out in the National Cross Country event when they brought home silver team medals from the Essex Half Marathon Championships, held as part of the Roding Valley event.  Trevor Keys finished in 11th place in 1 hr 18m 17 secs, and just held off club-mate Rob Dickenson who finished one place back and two seconds adrift.  Martin Chester's 20th finish in 1:20.59 proved vital as he overhauled the third Orion Harrier's runner late on to put the teams level on points and his superior finish clinched the silver on count-back from Orion, as Billericay Striders took gold. Two senior ladies also competed as Jo Sullivan ran well for 110th in 1:34.35 ahead of Nikki Barnett who was 165th with 1:39.15. The race will be remembered for all the wrong reasons as the field were directed the wrong way on the opening lap, adding over half a mile to their half marathon total distance of 13.1miles.   added 27/02/06  Link to full results added 28/02/06

Michael Jones turned in another star performance as he placed sixth in the U13 Boys' event at today's National Cross Country Champs at Parliament Hill. He finished in 12:05, with Jamie Buckley Stanton in 29th in 12:38, while Lima Bush (151st - 13:44) and Chris Sullivan (157th - 13:50) brought the team home in 10th. The Under 13 Girls were the highest place club team in sixth. Eleanor Bounds was first home in 32nd (13:52), Sidnie Sales 52nd (14:10), Rebecca O'Neill 94th (14:34) with Shannon Sullivan completing the scoring four in 150th (14:00). There was disappointment for the illness & injury affected U15 boys who finished 14th. With Steve Maclachlan injured and Daniel Waters falling it was left to the improving Simon Brown to lead them home in 55th, with Matt Bloy 85th, and Daniel Shanney (126th) and Grant Twist (148th) completing the scoring foursome. Georgie Sales was an excellent 17th (18:57) for the U15 Girls with Jennifer Holland the only other club runner in 104th. Jade Edwards was the only club U17W in 48th, while Robyn Matson was similarly 48th placed in the U20W with Hayley Stibbs 63rd. Robert Jones (127th) and Bradley Tungatt (149th) flew the flag for the U17M, Linda Smith (364th) and Ellie Mole (406th) for the senior women, and Tony Collins (545th) and the unfortunate Rob Warner (555th) for the senior men. David Nefs was 173rd in the U20M. added 25/02/06     added 26/02/06

Faye Fullerton showed she is on the road back to fitness with a convincing win for the London North team in the Inter City Cup final at Sheffield on Sunday. After missing the AAAs Indoor Championships due to illness Faye bounced back to lead from the gun passing through 800m in 2:18 and 1200m in 3:28 before stopping the clock in a new indoor PB of 4:22.19, ten seconds clear of the host team Sheffield's Hannah Whitmore. Just 20 minutes later Faye toed the line again in the medley relay and her 800m leg proved to be another time trial, coming home in 2:15.1 to set up a run-away victory for the London North team. Faye's efforts won her a Powerbreathe Units as the one of the athletes who scored most individual points for their teams. But despite Faye's points tally the London team had to concede overall victory to the hosts.  added 21/02/06    

Photo: UK Athletics

Katie Richardson and Simon Brown were the highest placed club athletes as the Essex Schools teams traveled to Southampton to take on opponents from hosts Hampshire, Kent, Surrey and Berkshire in an Inter Counties event. Katie placed third in the senor girls race (13:24) behind Essex Champion Danielle Sales and Hampshire's Emma Pallant. The two Robyns - Matson (16th - 14:24) and Delivett (37th - 15:26) also donned Essex vests. Simon Brown was a tremendous fifth place (12:48) in the Junior boys' event - a fantastic improvement over his 11th place in the County Schools. Jamie Buckley-Stanton was 21st (13:10) as Essex took the team honours. The Essex team were also worthy winners in the Junior Girls event. Sidnie Sales was an excellent 9th (11:35), with Jennifer Holland 27th (12:01) and Emma Fox in 38th (12:20).  There was a good showing in the Inter Girls race as Jade Edwards led home the club contingent in 14th (14:29) closely followed by Christina Holland (15th - 14:32) and Georgie Lou Sales (17th - 14:37). Another club trio contested the Inter Boys' race with Matt Bloy highest placed (15th - 16:20) and Grant Twist (20th - 16:26) and Steve MacLachlan (29th - 16:44) not far behind.  added 5/02/06    

Eleanor Bounds and Jamie Buckley-Stanton emerged victorious from the Essex Schools Years 7 and 8 Cross Country Championships, held this week at Hylands Park, Chelmsford.  Eleanor (Coopers Coborn) headed the 200 strong field in the Year 7 girls' race in 8:22 with club mates Rebecca O'Neill (Brentwood School) runner-up in 8:31 and Emma McAuliffe (also Coopers) just outside the medals in fourth (8:42). Campion pupil Jamie's success came in the Year 8 boys' event (9:19). Mitchell English (Hall Mead) was 33rd in the same event (10:20) and Chris Sullivan (Campion) 45th (10:31). Sidnie Sales, who two weeks ago placed third in the Junior Girls event in the Essex Schools Championships, this week occupied the same position in the Year 8 event (8:04). Lucy Newman & Jennifer Hooton were 25th (9:17) and 36th (9:30). Jonathan Seekings was 40th in the Year 7 boys competition (10:54). added 5/02/06   Photographs from this event can be viewed at www.rikko2photo.co.uk

Club athletes won eight medals at the Essex Indoor Champs held at Chelmsford this weekend. Nicola Hill won gold and bronze with a 60m hurdles victory (9.3s) and long jump bronze (4.86m). Claire Brennan came through to win the SW 60m hurdles race with a season's best of 9.4s and also placed fifth in the 60m sprint. Long jump silvers were won by Anthony Williams (U20 - 5.88m) and Vincente Lazaro (U17M - 5.86m). Mel Harrison won a SW shot silver and newcomer Sophie Baggs high jumped 1.20m for U13 silver and also made the hurdles final. The final medal went  to Lisa Schofield in the U20W 60m hurdles and she also placed fifth in the 60m flat. Chris Clements equalled his PB of 7.5s in the U20M 60m event and Alex Edwards (60m - U15) and Jessica Seekings (LJ/60m hurdles & 60m). added 29/01/06  Richard Demko set an impressive 60m hurdles PB of 8.71s in his first run at the U20 men's hurdles at today's Sutton open. Chloe van Wulven improved her season's best in the U20W equivalent. 

Michael Jones ran brilliantly for his best performance to date to gain individual bronze in the U13 Boys' event at Saturday's South of England Champs at Bicton, In Devon in 10:24. Jamie Buckley Stanton again impressed in 17th in 10:48, while Jonathan Seekings ran gamely for 77th in 11:57. With a fourth runner a team medal and podium place may have been possible. Despite an off colour performance the U15 Boys came home in bronze medal position. Grant Twist led the team home with his best run in a while in 23rd in 15.51, followed by Steve McLachlan improving in 29th in 16:00. Matt Bloy found the hilly course tough but managed 34th in 16:08. The team was completed by Simon Brown in 77th in 17 08. 
Once again Robert Jones was the only club U17 runner coming home in a gutsy 62ndin 23:19. Many did not make the long journey to the west country due illness and injury. added 29/01/06

Havering Mayesbrook’s senior men continued their fine turn of form to take the silver medal in the cross-country relays at Colchester today. Peter Coates (15:20) ran well to bring the team home in 9^th after the first leg. Rob Warner then took another couple of places in his good run (15:38) to take Havering up to 6^th. Trevor Keys running the fastest Havering leg of the day (14:37) brought the team up to 5^th. Gavin Maley having a fantastic run (14:58) took the team to pole position, before Steve Rand in his first cross country for the club battled hard on the final leg (15:44) to bring the A team home in second place. The B team although lacking some regular faces all ran well finishing in 11th place. An injured Rob Dickenson (16:38) handed over to Ian Anthony who ran the fastest leg of the B team (16:16). Tony Collins (16:26) and Paul Berrett (17:18) both ran well to hand over to last minute replacement Kevin Benton who acquitted himself admirably (17:43) bringing the B team home in 11^th. added 22/01/06

added 22/01/06    

Faye Fullerton placed 15th in a high class international cross country race in Spain, with Ethiopians filling four of the first five places.  added 22/01/06

Photo: Lesley Richardson

Feb 04 - Mar 04