British Athletics League Division 4 – Round 4 - Rugby 31st August 2002  

Havering Mayesbrook’s Senior men travelled to Rugby on Saturday more in hope than expectation. They went in to the match needing to finish ahead of Swindon or Bolton, with Blackpool too far behind to catch up.

The team as usual had more than its fair share of absentees due to injury or work demands. But with 16 athletes on display it was the best turn out of the season as they attempted to repeat last years dramatic escape from the relegation zone. On a day when points were vital everyone did all that asked, and more, to retain National League status for another year. The tension grew throughout the day as the points between the three fighting against relegation was never more than 15.

It all started well, with Leo Barker Long Jumping 7.02, his best for 5 years, to claim 2^nd place in the first of 7 events. Leo, returning to the form and fitness of 3 years ago, claimed over 50 points for the Club. As well as the Long Jump he Pole Vaulted, threw the Shot and Discus, ran the 110m Hurdles and both relays.

As always Mark Bishop was magnificent, despite dislocating a finger earlier in the week he threw the Discus, Shot and Javelin as well as Long Jumping and Pole Vaulting.

Scott Spencer scored good points in the sprints with Phil Sadler supporting in the 100m and 200m. Under 17 athlete Mark Connelly made his first appearance of the season scoring well in his event, the High Jump. He then volunteered to run the “B” 400m, his determination meant that he snatched an extra point by grabbing 7^th place right on the line.

Sam Harrison recorded the only Havering pb of the day, throwing the Javelin 51.32m to gain 3^rd place in the “A” string event. Steven Prady added the Triple Jump and a leg of the 4 x 100m relay to his specialist event of High Jump.

Gavin Maley returned from illness only a week ago was unable to be a competitive as usual in the 800m finishing 6^th, but recovered to grab 3^rd spot in the 1500m. Neill Collins made his British League debut in the “B” 800m. Rob Dickenson ran the “B” 1500m before going on to compete in the 5000m where he was supported by Martin Chester.

Kevin Benton ran the “A” 400m Hurdles (6^th in 58.5) and the “B” 110m Hurdles  (6^th in 16.8).  The two highest points scoring events were the 3000m Steeplechase with Jason Lendon 4^th “A” and Rob Warner 3^rd “B” a resulted repeated in the Hammer Danny Gamester throwing 41.53 in the “A” with Keith Robinson claiming 4^th “B” with 34.85.

The real drama of the day was yet to come, having gone to the final match the team arrived at the final event of the day still behind Swindon and Bolton. With Bolton 8 points ahead it was too much to make up, but Swindon were only 2 points ahead, it meant that the 4 x 400m relay team had to beat Swindon by 2 places to remain in the League. Scott Spencer ran the first leg in 51.7 handing the baton to Phil Sadler in fifth place. Phil ran 52.1 to edge up to 4^th on the second leg with Swindon in 6^th place with two more legs to go. Then Leo Barker started his seventh, and most vital event, of the day.  Leo ran a superb leg in 50.7 to move away from Swindon still in 6^th and closer to 3^rd place Bolton. Gavin Maley ran the final leg needing to stay two places ahead of Swindon, recording the fastest leg of 50.0 he passed Bolton to grab 3^rd spot, Swindon unable to improve finished in 6^th. Havering Mayesbrook’s athletes snatched 5^th place in the match, one place ahead of Swindon who dropped to 7^th in the final League table.

Match result

League standings

	A STRINGS	Pos.	Time/Dist			B STRINGS	Pos.	Time/Dist
100	Scott Spencer	7	11.6		100	Phil Sadler	4	11.6
200	Scott Spencer	4	23.2		200	Phil Sadler	3	23.4
400	Scott Spencer	5	50.0		400	Mark Connelly	7	56.3
800	Gavin Maley	6	1:55.0		800	Neill Collins	8	2:05.1
1500	Gavin Maley	3	3:56.5		1500	Rob Dickenson	5	4:05.7
5000	Rob Dickenson	7	16:31.9		5000	Martin Chester	6	17:40.6
3000 s/c	Jason Lendon	4	9:58.7		3000 s/c	Rob Warner	3	10:17.6
110H	Leo Barker	3	15.8		110H	Kevin Benton	6	16.8
400H	Kevin Benton	6	58.5		400H	Rob Warner	6	66.4
L.J.	Leo Barker	2	7.02		L.J.	Mark Bishop	5	6.18
H.J.	Steven Prady	6	1.80		H.J.	Mark Connelly	4	1.75
T.J.	Gavin Maley	7	11.18	PB	T.J.	Steven Prady	6	10.51
P.V.	Mark Bishop	4	3.80		P.V.	Leo Barker	4	3.00
S.P.	Leo Barker	5	11.72		S.P.	Mark Bishop	4	11.22
D.T.	Mark Bishop	4	35.17		D.T.	Leo Barker	3	31.14
J.T.	Sam Harrison	3	51.32	PB	J.T	Mark Bishop	2	47.93
H.T.	Daniel Gamester	4	41.53		H.T.	Keith Robinson	3	34.85
4x100	Steve Prady, Phil Sadler, Leo Barker, Scott Spencer						5	44.9
4x400	Scott Spencer (51.7), Phil Sadler (52.1), Leo Barker (50.7), Gavin Maley (50.0)						3	3:24.5

Danny Gamester	Keith Robinson
Jason Lendon	Rob Warner
Mark Bishop	Leo Barker
Gavin Maley	Neill Collins
Mark Connelly

Look out for full results on BAL Website