A powerful senior performance helped the Southern Women’s League team to shade a three-way battle for second place behind Dacorum & Tring in their Division One fixture at wind-swept Ashford on Saturday.

The throwing events once again provided the platform for the team’s success. Sarah Deacon had a trio of wins, coming up trumps in her hammer speciality, and adding B string shot & discus honours too. Mel Harrison showed improvement, throwing season’s bests to win A discus & B hammer, and adding another best for the year in placing second in the shot. There was again a double victory in the javelin as Louise Mathews edged out Emma Christmas for a 1-2 overall and maximum A & B points.

Kirsty Smith returned to Southern League action with a long jump & triple jump win double, and another senior double came from Lauren Deadman, who was a dominant winner of both 800 & 1500m A races, with Becky Owen adding B 800m maximum points.

Nicola Hill was a triple winner taking the senior B 100m event, and also winning easily in her U17 hurdles races in the difficult conditions, with Angela James providing good support with a B 80m hurdles win. More hurdles success came by way of Lisa Schofield & Claire Brennan who took A & B honours in the 100m event run in the face of the gales that buffeted the Ashford track.

Hannah Gamester added runners up points in the 200m and long jump and was fourth in the pole vault. Lauren Clark (400m & 200m) and Nina Brennan (400m) completed the senior squad.

The six–strong U15 girls plugged away to earn vital points for the club cause.

Rachel Sadler & Kelly Jarrold both claimed second placings in the  800m and Nicola Peachey was also second in the hurdles, as well as improving her long jump & high jump PBs. Alex Edwards earned two sprint third places, while Laura Drew – still an U13 – again took on older opponents in three throws and  was rewarded with personals best in each. Nicola Dalton completed the sextet with important long jump & 100m points.

The team’s efforts ensured that they held off hosts Ashford and Stevenage to claim second place in this second round contest.

EVENT

A STRINGS

Pos.

Time/Dist

B STRINGS

Pos.

Time/Dist

100

3

14.1s

1

13.7s

200

5

29.1s

2

29.4s

400

Lauren Clark

3

61.7s

Nina Brennan

4

800

1

2:19.7

1

1500

1

4:50.4s

3000

---

100H

Lisa Schofield

1

16.5s

1

16.7s

400H

3

69.6s

3

80.0s

L.J.

Kirsty Smith

1

5.47m

2

5.16m

H.J.

4

1.45m

T.J.

Kirsty Smith

1

11.21m

3

9.52m

P.V.

4

2.40m

4

2.20m

S.P.

2

10.75m

1

8.44m

D.T.

Mel Harrison

1

39.20m.

1

32.35m

J.T.

Louise Mathews

 1

36.57m

 1

36.25m

H.T.

Sarah Deacon

1

44.72m

1

40.50m

4x100

1

52.0s

4x400

1

4:18.3s

EVENT

A STRINGS

Pos.

Time/Dist

B STRINGS

Pos.

Time/Dist

80H

1

12.3s

1

14.0s

300H

1

48.7s

EVENT

A STRINGS

Pos.

Time/Dist

B STRINGS

Pos.

Time/Dist

100

200

800

1500

75H

L.J.

H.J.

S.P.

D.T.

J.T.

4x100