Despite a heavy defeat at St Albans on Sunday the Young Athletes side still head a competitive Eastern Young Athletes League competition and are still in pole position to defend their league title.

The Under 15 Boys squad were the only age group winners, boosted by six A string wins and seven B string victories plus relay.  Alex Law contributed a hat-trick of victories leaping a new long jump best to win that event and adding B hurdles and discus success.  Oliver Garwandoe impressed, with a massive pole vault winning PB of 2.80m, second highest ever by a club U15 and just 10cm shy of the 25 yea old club record. Oliver also won the B high jump. Billy Bilton won both A string hurdles and javelin and setting a new 200m PB. Ben Thompson won the discus and B string victories came from PB performances by Finbar Smyth (400m), Adam Hill (1500m) and newcomer Dan Bristow (javelin). The relay team of Alex Habbershaw, Billy Bilton, Jack Downes and Alex Law were also winners.

There was a strong showing from the Under 15 Girls who finished second. Bethany Chambers was in fine form with victories in both 300m and long jump, and Mercy Gutteridge improved her club pole vault record for the second time in seven days for victory.  Lydia Hallam again provided a middle distance win, this week in the 800m. The throws pairing of Georgie Taylor and Rachel Forder again scored well with double victory in the discus and runners up spots in shot (Rachel) and hammer and javelin (Georgie).

The Under 17 Men also had to play second fiddle to the hosts. There was double discus delight as Dan Wilson and Tyler Bennett wrapped up A & B competitions, and Hoseah Gikungu further reduced his 1500m PB in claiming full points. Jake Nelson won the B long jump and there were no fewer than nine A string second places and six B string wins.

A brave quartet of Under 17 Women flew the flag in club colours. Patsy McWeeney was second in the javelin and scored in discus after suffering badly from the heat in her 800m. Becky Lawrence equalled her pole vault best in second and scored high jump and shot points and Jess Seekings was B high jump runner up and scored in 100m and 300m. Kelly Reynolds made her first appearance this summer with two thirds and a fourth in 100m, 200m & shot and the foursome combined for relay third place.

Both Under 13 teams finished third. The U13 Girls once again had Heidi Surman-Wells to thank for a double victory with 800m and hurdles wins, while Emma Whitby (100m) and newcomer Chenice Constable (long jump) claimed A string second places. There were B string track second places for Michelle Hughes (100m), Tolu Akingbade (200m) and Jessica Ward (800m) and Kiera Law was second in the B discus.

The U13 Boys once again recorded a glut of PBs with virtually all performances resulting in new bests.  Alex Hewitt’s sprint double improved his PBs and Ryan Green made it a 200m double with B victory. Robert Woodgate won the B 1500 and Sean Wilson was second in the A, both in PBs. Thomas Pitkin was second in the hurdles. Robert, Alex and Ryan joined with James Traylen for relay victory.

League Table (top 7) after 3 Rounds

1 Havering M               19         2063.5

2 St Albans                   19         1984

3 Stevenage & NH          19         1926

4 Southend                    19         1723.5

5 Chelmsford                 18         1672

6 Ipswich                       18         1578.5

7 Enfield & H/Barnet       18         1570