The senior men's team are back in the British Athletics League next summer after a great team result secured fifth place at the qualifying match at Abingdon on Saturday.

With the eight competing teams battling it out for six places in the National divisions the team were hopeful of qualifying but although the final result suggests the team made it easily for much of the day it looked like they faced another season in the Southern League as events went against them.   

For although the sun was shining on a virtually windless day at Abingdon it did not seem to favour the Havering Mayesbrook squad from the outset.

Things could not have got off to a worse start with James Murphy taking a heavy fall in the opening track event 400m hurdles, dislocating his shoulder and having to go to hospital for treatment. To add insult to injury although he got up to finish he was disqualified by the judges for pushing down the hurdle that caused his fall.

In the next event the 100m Charlie Moss pulled a calf muscle when finishing second in the B race and played no further part in the match, then Jay Ryan fell badly in the pole vault and sprained his wrist.

But other results started the fight back. Tunde Olayiwola in his debut at this level did well for second in the B 200, as the more experienced Luke Stott returned from injury with second in the A race and also was sixth in the 100m.  Paul Adair ran a new PB of 1:58.9 in the 800m and returned later to equal his 400m best.

Stuart Tufton vaulted a season's best to earn second in the B pole vault, and the injured Ryan had done enough for fifth in the A string. Junior Bradley Reece similarly came second in the 'B' Hammer with a PB of 42.13m as Danny Gamester returned to club colours with fourth in the A event.

There were more good results from the youthful team. U20s Joe Ramie and Anthony Williams were both third in the long jump and another junior Grant Twist was fourth in the steeplechase, with experienced senior Jason Lendon second in the B event. U17 shot putter Emmanuel Quarshie improved his best with the senior shot, for sixth. Club Captain Mark Bishop, not to be outshone by the youngsters, produced a season's best in taking third place in the 400m hurdles in 58.9s and was fifth in the sprint hurdles.

But with just four events remaining  - the javelin, triple jump and both relays - the squad lagged in sixth place with Tonbridge close on their heels for the final qualifying place.

Fortunately these final field events were two of the squad's best. Bonne Buwembo once again improved his PB and club U20 & senior javelin records to finally break the 70m barrier. His best effort was measured at 70.80m - the tenth best ever by a British U20 - in what may be his last major event for the Club. His coach Sam Harrison made it maximum javelin points with his a win in the 'B' event with a throw of 51.95m.
 

The triple jump was also a happy hunting ground as U20 Joseph Ramie jumped a new PB of 13.91m to come second and B string Tunde Olayiwola won the B also in a new PB of 13.38m

These excellent results lifted the club to fourth and after a fine runners up spot in the sprint relay they were able to line up for the last event (4 x 400m relay) knowing promotion was secure.

So despite the initial set backs the team rose to the occasion with everyone gaining valuable points to finish fifth place and earn promotion to BAL National Division 4.
 

With the opposition next summer being Edinburgh, Channel Islands,  Coventry, Exeter, and Yeovil the squad look like they will face some interesting journeys! 

 Full results

Luke Stott

6

11.3

Charlie Moss U17

2

11.4

Luke Stott

2

22.5

Tunde Olayiwola U20

2

22.8w

Paul Adair U20

4

51.2

Ashley Reece

8

54.1

7

1:59.6

Paul Adair U20

6

1:58.9 PB

Rob Dickenson

8

4.25.4

Grant Twist U20

8

4.33.4

Ian Anthony

8

17.01.5

7

17:14.2

Grant Twist U20

4

10.17.8

2

10:20.7

Mark Bishop M40

5

16.9

Anthony Williams U20

4

17.2

James Murphy

DQ

Mark Bishop M40

2

58.9

3

6.51

Anthony Williams U20

3

6.14

Jay Ryan U20

7

1.75

Scott Keating

8

1.65

Joseph Ramie U20

3

13.91

Tunde Olayiwola

1

13.38 PB

5

3.40

Stuart Tufton M55

2

3.20

Emmanuel Quarshie U17

6

11.96

5

10.94

Brett Heath

4

37.58

6

27.33

Bonne Buwembo U20

1

70.80

Sam Harrison

1

51.95

4

44.96

Bradley Reece U20

2

42.13 PB

2

43.5

5

3.28.3