The return of Kate Cowley and Sarah Deacon boosted the Senior Women's team's hopes but was not enough to prevent another fourth place finish in their Southern Women's League fixture at scorching Milton Keynes on Saturday.

Former international multi-event star Kate Cowley returned to action after maternity leave for the birth of baby Isabella last August. She tackled four events and the relay, placing first equal in the high jump and second in the long jump as well as earning shot and javelin points. Sarah Deacon returned after three years absence through injury and competed in all four throws against strong opposition, winning the B javelin and coming second in the B shot.

The hurdles produced maximum points for club athletes. Claire Brennan's PB in the 400m hurdles turned the table on faster Laura Bealey who placed second over all to take B string honours, and in the 100m hurdles Chloe van Wulven took the A string with Claire placing second to win the B string. Laura Bealey had a busy day also tackling the 400m, 200m and 4x400m relay while Claire also competed in 200m and sprint relay.

Megan Foley took another step back to fitness with a sub-five minute clocking in the 1500m but was overhauled in the final stages to finish second with Helen Biscoe second in the B.  Helen added 800m points and Megan contributed a 4x400m leg.

Other runners up spots went to debutants Hanine Waked in the 800m and Ellie Watson (triple jump) and Hannah Connor with a season's best long jump.

Nina Brennan gained points with a 400m season's best and hammer plus legs in both relays and newcomer Hannah McWeeney earned a point for her 3000m efforts in searing heat.

The fourth place leaves the squad needing good results in the remaining three fixtures to hold onto their Division one place.    

EVENT

A STRINGS

Pos.

Time/Dist

B STRINGS

Pos.

Time/Dist

100

200

3

27.74s

3

27.34s

400

Laura Bealey

3

61.26s

Nina Brennan

3

65.35s

800

3

2:40.63s

2

2:55.10s

1500

2

4:57.58s

2

5:36.06s

3000

4

16:48.10s

100H

Chloe van Wulven

 1

15.43s

1

15.59s

400H

 1

66.74s PB

1

67.76s

L.J.

Kate Cowley

2

5.27m

2

4.81m

H.J.

1=

1.55m

Ellie Watson (U20)

2

1.45m

T.J.

4

8.57m

P.V.

S.P.

4

9.61m 

4

7.67m

D.T.

Sarah Deacon

4

24.63m

4

20.87m

J.T.

Kate Cowley

3

28.45m

1

23.29m

H.T.

4

38.01m

4

17.17m

4x100

DQ

4x400

3

4:32.30s