Eastern Young Athletes League, Southend May 7, 2000

SEASIDE SUCCESS FOR YOUNG ATHLETES

Havering Mayesbrook AC's combined girls' and boys' under-17 team began their Eastern Young Athletes League campaign at Southend on Sunday with a hard fought victory. Although the final margin of success over Basildon, Southend and Thurrock was some 40 points, it was not until the final stages of the match that the reigning champions exerted their authority.

Both the girls' and boys' under-15 squads are looking particularly strong and amassed no fewer than 21 individual victories. For the girls, Claire Sargent took both the 75m Hurdles and the Long Jump in impressive style, ever consistent Sara Luck took the 800m and thrower Melanie Harrison doubled-up in the Discus and Javelin. 'B' string successes went to Laura Jones (200m), Caroline Smith (800m), Lynsey Clark (Discus) and Danielle Ross (Long Jump).

For the boys, Matthew Kelsey continues in superb sprinting form with wins in the 100m and 200m. For good measure, he also took the 'B' Javelin. Bob Thanda was another three times winner with powerful displays in the 400m, Long Jump and 'B' Shot. Peter Philips (Discus and 'B' 400m) and Adam Lee (Shot and 'B' 200m) were double winners and there were other wins for Mark Connelly in the 'B' Long Jump and newcomer Scott Keating in the 'B' High Jump. In this latter event, both Keating and Connelly achieved new personal bests of 1.60m.

In the girls' youngest age group, Megan Foley, fresh from her recent Essex County Championship gold medal success, took the 800m and Discus events. There were 'B' string wins for Samantha Day (200m and Long Jump) and Natalie Ashwell ('B' Discus).

For the u-13 boys, Andrew Luck and Tom Vargas doubled-up to take the 'A' and 'B' strings of the Long Jump whilst Jamie Hayward, on his debut, took the 'B' Discus.

In the oldest age group, Nina Brennan won the u-17 Girls Discus whilst there were 'B' string successes for Chelsea Harrison (Discus and Javelin) and Francesca Rigby (Long Jump).

For the boys, Mark Gardiner won the u-17 Long Jump and Sydney Zitisi the 800m. Zitisi doubled-up later by taking the 'B' 400m. The other 'B' string winner was Andrew Tierney with wins in the Shot and Discus.

At the end of the afternoon, there were exciting 4 x 100m sprint relay successes for the u-15 girls quartet (Sargent, Jones, Michelle Hayley and Nicola Schofield); the u-13 boys (Luck, Vargas, David Nefs and Martyn Chambers); and the u-15 boys (Kelsey, Thanda, Philips and Andrew Day).

As a result of this well earned victory, the team are on course for a fifth successive League title and can now look forward to a home fixture at the Mayesbrook Arena in Barking on Sunday, June 11 when the opposition consists of Norwich, Ipswich and Stevenage.

Athletics action continues this weekend at Chelmsford with days 2 and 3 of the Essex County Championships in which a number of Havering Mayesbrook athletes will be competing.

For further information, Contact Doug Tierney - mailto:ttp.doug@tinyonline.co.uk