Eastern Young Athletes League, Mayesbrook Park, 11 June 2000

'PARTY IN THE PARK' FOR YOUNG ATHLETES

In warm but windy conditions at the Mayesbrook Arena on Sunday, Havering Mayesbrook AC's combined under-17 girls' and boys' team won their Eastern Young Athletes League match in comprehensive fashion. In defeating Norwich, Stevenage and Ipswich, the team maintained their unbeaten record and look favourites to retain their league title.

For the girls, the top scorers were the under-15 age group. Laura Jones followed-up her Essex Schools success of the previous day by taking the 100m and 'B' 200m and anchoring the 4 x 100m quartet to victory. In the same age group, Caroline Smith won the 800m and the 'B' Javelin whilst Melanie Harrison also doubled-up with successes in the Discus and 'B' Shot. Other 'B' string winners were the versatile Sara Luck in the High Jump and Lynsey Clark in the Discus. In addition to Jones, the winning 4 x 100m team consisted of Claire Sargent, Nicola Schofield and Michelle Hayley.

For the under-17s, Nina Brennan was successful in the 80m Hurdles and 'B' Discus. Other 'B' string winners were Elle Young (100m), Faye Powell (1500m) and Chelsea Harrison (High Jump).

In the youngest age group, Megan Foley followed-up her Essex Schools title by winning the under-13 800m. In the 1500m, there was an 'A' and 'B' string double success through Charlotte Watkins and Robyn Matson. Another 'B' string success came from Natalie Ashwell in the Discus.

Individual 'A' string winners for the boys in the same age group wee David Nefs (200m and 400m), Andrew Luck (High Jump) and Kurt Smith (Shot). 'B' string winners were Martyn Chambers (200m and 1500m), newcomer Jay Ryan (400m), Tom Vargas (Long Jump), Christian Newton (Shot) and Smith (Discus). The 4 x 100m relay squad (Nefs, Luck, Chambers and Vargas) were also successful.

The under-15 boys were in sparkling form with 15 individual successes. Top spot went to Bob Thanda who, following his magnificent Essex Schools success, won the 400m, Shot and Long Jump. As expected, sprinter Matthew Kelsey took the 100m and 200m, both in Grade 1 times whilst Peter Phillips also made it a hat trick of victories in the 80m Hurdles and 'B' 200m and 400m. Other 'A' string winners were Jake Gibson in the 1500m, Mark Connelly with a new personal best of 1.64m in the High Jump and Terry O'Leary in the Discus. O'Leary also made it three wins on the day with 'B' string successes in the 80m Hurdles and Shot. For good measure, newcomer Sam Thorne took the 'B' Discus whilst James Deane won the 'B' 1500m. Finally in this age group, the 4 x 100m quartet (Phillips, Kelsey, Connelly and Thanda) were very impressive in victory.

For the under-17s, Andy Green doubled-up in the 100m and 200m whilst Mark Gardiner went one better with three wins in the Long Jump, Triple Jump and 'B' 200m. Multi-eventer Andrew Tierney took the Discus and 'B' Triple Jump with Tom Melrose taking both the 'B' Shot and Discus events. Other 'A' string winners were Sidney Zitisi in the 800m, Kevin Deacon in the Shot and Steven Prady in the High Jump. Prady also took the 'B' Long Jump and Peter Jones was another 'B' string winner in the 800m.

The team travels to Cambridge on June 25th for the third of a five match Eastern Young Athletes League campaign.

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