Travel chaos, illness and injury were not enough to dampen the spirit of the 10 men who competed for the Men’s Southern League team at Battersea Park on Saturday and if more athletes had their resolve the squad would be top of the league rather than in fourth place at the half way stage.

The ten were led off by Anthony Soar who was second in the 800 then stepping in to get a creditable 2^nd in the shot and despite being ill managed 3rd in the 1500. Shaun Stewart made a welcome return with a hat-trick of wins taking full points in the 100m, 400m, high jump and both winning relay squads.

Jordan Brown also had a good day getting second in the long jump, winning the sprint double, plus the sprint relay before making his debut in the winning 4x400 team. Making his senior debut was Patrick Lear who threw a great PB in winning the A string javelin.

Neill Collins had a workmanlike afternoon filling in on the middle distance events coming 4^th in the 400m and getting two 2nds in the 800 and 1500m. Neill is competing in the INAS/FID European T&F competition on 10^th July and we all wish him a great Games.

Another successful debutant was Massi Dendani who made a winning start in the 400m hurdles and 200m and both relays. Jake Nelson rose to the occasion by winning the high jump getting second in both long and triple jump and running a swift leg in the winning 4x100 team, brother Kieran also rose to the challenge winning the 110 hurdles and getting 2^nd in the 400m hurdles triple jump and running a great leg in the winning 4x400m squad.

Unluckiest athlete of the day was Paul Berrett who got stuck in traffic and missed his event but in true spirit started the 3000s/c only to get injured at the water jump - we all wish Paul a speedy recovery.

Another athlete caught out by the traffic was stalwart Darron Keevil who made a calming influence once he arrived and steadied the team getting second in the 110m hurdles and discus, third in the hammer and winning the B javelin. Team manager Kevin White donned the Havering Mayesbrook vest once more taking fourth in the hammer, second in the shot and getting a win in the B discus.

The fourth-placed squad face the teams placed 5^th, 8^th and 9^th in their next match, a home fixture is at Mayesbrook Park on the 10^th July and hope to welcome back several athletes who missed this one.