UK Women's League, Bedford, Sunday 26 June 2005

Havering Mayesbrook ladies consolidated their push for promotion with another good National League result at Bedford on Sunday 26^th June. 

Cardiff led from the first event, and by the halfway stage had opened up a substantial lead of over 30 points.  As Havering Mayesbrook and local rivals Newham and Essex Beagles battled out second place, their combined efforts gradually eroded the Cardiff advantage, making the final result a much closer issue. 

For the second time in a week, Emma Christmas extended her club junior record in the javelin.  Her throw of 36.26m was an increase of over 1.5metres, and secured second place in the A competition.  Mel Harrison followed suit with a second in the B javelin, having previously set a new PB of 11.63m in the A shot, and a third in the A discus.  The team selection switch of Kate Brewington from the javelin to the shot paid dividends as the multi-eventer took the honours in the B competition.  Kate had earlier taken third place in the A long jump.

Once again the hammer pairing of Sarah Deacon (A string) and Victoria Thompson (B string) collected excellent points with a second, and a first respectively.  Lynsey Clark had her usual inconvenience of two events, at opposite ends of the stadium, programmed at the same time.  It did not stop her from winning the B discus with a seasons best performance of 38.55m, and 6^th place in the A triple jump.  There were other fine field performances from Hannah Gamester fourth (B triple jump) and fifth (A pole vault), Chloe Van Wulven fourth (A high jump), Danielle Ross second (B pole vault), Katie O’Sullivan second (B high jump), and Kirsty Smith fourth (B long jump).

Although there was only one victory on the track, consistently good performances maintained the pressure on front runners Cardiff.  In all, five new track PB’s were registered typifying the effort that was put in by all.  Chloe Van Wulven notched up the win in the B 100m hurdles.  After a good start and clearing the first flight a metre up, she comfortably maintained that advantage throughout the race.

In the sprints, Claire Brennan set new marks for both the 100m and 200m B races, finishing fourth and seventh respectively.  After a disappointing run in the previous match, Helen Roche bounced back to her best in the 1500m by slicing 4 seconds off her lifetime best performance, with fifth place in the A race.  The remaining two PB’s went to Denise Harris, who’s late switch from the 1500m to the 800m obviously had no adverse affect, and newcomer to the National League, Robyn Delivett, who trimmed 0.4 seconds off her best for the 400m.  Both athletes finishing fourth in B races.

With only the sprinters doubling up in events, a grand total of 15 athletes covered the track programme.  Christina Kalejaiye was sixth in both A 100m and 200m, as was Laurie Cossey in A 400m and Hayley Stibbs in A 800m.  Lesley Felton fourth (B 1500m), Megan Foley third (A 3000m), Robyn Matson second (B 3000m), Kate Brewington third (A 100m hurdles), Nicola Schofield sixth (A 400m hurdles) and Katie O’Sullivan fifth (B 400m hurdles) completed the individual events.

A fine day was brought to a close with Brewington, Gamester, Brennan and Kalejaiye bringing the baton safely home in the 4x100m relay in fourth position.  Similarly, Foley, Harris, Delivett and Cossey did a repeat performance taking fifth place in the 4x400m.

With one match remaining, the current league standings are as follows: 1. Cardiff 15 (394.5),  2. Havering Mayesbrook 14 (402),  3. Newham & Essex Beagles 13 (371.5),  4. Milton Keynes 10 (306),  5. Aldershot 7 (279.5),  6. Newport 7 (270),  7. Ashford 3 (198.5),  8. Border (Carlisle) 3 (173).

Promotion to Division 2 is now a three-club race.  All will be decided in Cardiff on Sunday 31^st July.

HAVERING MAYESBROOK RESULTS

                                                                    # Club u20 record