UK Women's League, Stafford, Sunday 18 May 2003

(report courtesy of Gary Haines, Romford Recorder)

THE weather may have been appalling but Havering's talented young women kicked off their promotion challenge with a fine victory in the Midlands on Sunday. Ahead all day, they were faced with a nervy wait after the relays before being confirmed winners by four and a half points.

Manager Fred Gamester had hoped to take an 18-strong squad but that number was trimmed by five due to injuries and educational commitments. It proved to be lucky 13 for Gamester and his troops, however, as Havering's flexible friends came good.

Several athletes competed in unfamiliar events and every point proved golden. They set their stall out from the start of the afternoon, scoring well in the opening track and field events to leap to the top of the standings. Claire Brennan and younger sister Nina combined for a pair of second places in the 400m hurdles and Sarah Deacon and Melanie Harrison were double victors in the hammer. Deacon's 44.13m effort was one of five throws over 40m in a high class competition. Faye Fullerton was also a winner in the 800m after a cracking race. Her Cardiff opponent led at the bell but the pair were shoulder to shoulder going round the final bend until the Upminster ace pulled clear in the closing stages. Laurie Cossey also supplied a strong finish to take second in the B event. Cossey continued her good form with victory in the B 400m while Fullerton picked up three points for a sixth place finish in a rare outing over one lap. Captain Debbie Sullivan was second in the 1500m while Ria Lyons, in her first season as a senior, set a new personal best of 5.10.8 in the B race.
Sullivan had earlier taken a clear victory in her favoured 3,000m in fine style.

Kate Brewington was second in a high quality 100m hurdles race with her time of 14.3sec one of five under the 15 second barrier. Brewington also claimed the runners-up spot in the long jump and Hannah Gamester added second in the B competition. More good points scoring in the other field events kept the momentum going as the weather worsened. Indeed, the pole vault had to be cancelled on the request of the track steward for safety reasons. 

But there was discus delight for Deacon whose fine day continued with a winning B throw of 31.93m. Harrison was fourth in the senior event. Naturally the extra events took their toll and the tiring team could only managed three points from the 16 available in the relays. But Peterborough's late  surge proved too little to late to dash the Havering
celebrations.

"We were totally soaked but very happy," said Gamester.

See this week's for all the club action

HAVERING MAYESBROOK RESULTS