The men's BAL bounced back into promotion contention with a fighting victory on home territory at Mayesbrook Park on Saturday. The final outcome was always in doubt as the home side's early lead was reined in by Channel Islands and Coventry before a late surge saw them home in front by five points.

It was fitting the the only A victory came through teamwork as the sprint relay quartet of Charlie Moss, Leo Barker, Joe Ramie and Luke Stott snatched victory by one-hundredth of a second.

But the match was won through the team's succession of minor placings and consistent scoring.  Luke Stott was runner up in both sprints and Charlie Moss placed second and third in the B string races.

Paul Adair earned a pair of third places in the 800m A & 400m B, and Callum Sutton & Grant Twist also placed third in their 1500m strings. In the longest races Jason Lendon took B chase second place, with Rob Warner fourth and Glen Hill & Steve Rand both improved their 500m best but could only place fifth and fourth in a good quality race. More important track points were gained by Mat Bland (800m), Scot Spencer (400m) and Adam McCarthy (400m hurdles). Spectating James Murphy answered the call to fill a gap in the 4x400m relay.  New signing Richard Morrissey, awaiting league clearance, showed he is a class act with fast runs in non-scoring 100m & 400m efforts.

Everygreen skipper Mark Bishop was in excellent form. He powered to a B string win in the 110mh Hurdles, cleared his best pole vault height since joining the veterans ranks and scored in the B high jump.

Jay Ryan was second in the B vault, improved  his 400m hurdles best for fourth and was also fourth in the high jump.

Anthony Williams won the B long jump and was third in the A 110m hurdles. Other jumps points came from Joe Ramie with two third places, with good performances into the teeth of a strong wind andU17 Jimi Tele made his debut against senior opposition with runners up points in the B triple jump.

The throws produced a fine crop of points with three B string wins and a second, and there were good A string results also.

Leo Barker produced a B string double in the shot and discus and Sam Harrison was a worthy winner of the B javelin.  Bead Reece was second in the B hammer and fifth in the A discus.  Emmanuel Quarshie produced a PB with his first round shot effort and held on to second place as the weather deteriorated.  Georgie Bean and Danny Gamester both placed third in the javelin & hammer A events.

So after starting the day with the threat of relegation in a tight contest Saturday's victory and Exeter's poor showing mean that the Havering Mayesbrook squad travel to Coventry on 22 August needing to beat Exeter by eight points to win promotion on their first year back in the British League.

 Full results

52.00

3

Anthony Williams

16.22

1

16.15

6

60.59

Jay Ryan

4

59.43 PB

6.58

Anthony Williams

1

6.36

Jay Ryan

4

1.83

5

1.68

Joseph Ramie (U20)

3

13.01

Jimi Tele (U17)

2

12.20

4

2

1

1

1

3

1

4

LEAGUE TABLE

League Points

Match Points

Havering Mayesbrook AC

Coventry Godiva Harriers

Channel Islands AC