National Junior League, National Final, Derby 9 September 2001

Junior ladies place sixth in National Final

Left to right: Hannah Gamester, Sarah Deacon, Faye Fullerton, Hayley Mottram, Rosie Saunders, Terri Johnson, Melissa Felton, Francesca Rigby, Laura O'Neill, Helen Biscoe, Sarah Benton, Lauren Deadman, Mel Harrison, & Tony Benton. Not pictured: Sue Deboos, Lydia Comley, Siobhan Dennehy

With two-thirds of the Havering Mayesbrook Junior women's team having helped the Senior Women’s team gain promotion to the UK League on Saturday it was hardly the best preparations, but the team excelled themselves to place sixth overall, and second southern club in the National Junior League Final at Derby on Sunday.

With the top eight junior teams in Britain meeting head-to-head competition was hot but the Havering Mayesbrook Ladies gave a good account of themselves on their first performance on this national stage. Even the bitterly cold north wind blowing in the runners' faces failed to take the heat out of the proceedings, although it badly affected track times.

With the northern clubs dominating proceedings any medals were hard won but the Havering Mayesbrook team returned home with one gold, two silvers and three bronze.  Siobhan Dennehy, who competes for Havering Mayesbrook in the Junior League as her main club Chelmsford do not take part, claimed high jump A-string gold with a first-time clearance of a new season’s best 1.65m and came close to medals in the triple jump and 100m hurdles where she placed fourth. Siobhan also picked up javelin points and anchored the sprint relay team.

Faye Fullerton showed little signs of her exertions at Stafford the day before and she was runner-up to Edinburgh’s Freya Murray in both 800m and 1500m. In both races Faye seemed to be off the pace but stormed through over the last lap to get among the medals, overhauling English Schools champion and rival Lisa Dobriskey of Ashford in the last stride of the 800m to claim silver, and repeating the trick in the 1500m where she reeled in Sale’s Louise Whittaker, who had claimed Faye’s scalp in the Regional Inter-Counties seven days before. Faye later returned to complete her sixth race of the weekend when she anchored the 4x400m relay to fifth place.

Lauren Deadman gained bronze in the 3000m, in which Norwich’s Ruth Proctor gained her winning revenge for the English Schools Championships when Lauren had pipped her for silver. She also contributed a leg to the 4x400m relay squad.

B string medals also went to three HMAC field events athletes. Melanie Harrison, competing for the U20 team rather than in her own U17 age group in the EYAL final at Bedford, won bronze for her B-string hammer effort but was happiest in the discus where she exceeded the 35m barrier for the first time, but in a high class competition her 35.52 throw was only good enough for fourth. Sarah Deacon was just a metre down on her hammer best when placing fifth but picked up a gong for her runners up spot in the B discus, having conceded the A-string placing to Harrison’s PB. Fran Rigby was delighted to come away with bronze for her long jump third placing.

In the team competition Sale Harriers Manchester were dominant, easily retaining the title well ahead of Birchfield Harriers while Havering emerged from a three-way fight to come out on top of Southern rivals Ashford and Shaftesbury Barnet, to claim sixth.

Team Manager Tony Benton was delighted with his team’s performance. “We knew it would be tough – and it was – but it was no disgrace to come sixth in such company in our first national final. Everyone really gave of their best and it was an all-round team performance.  It was the first time many of the girls had competed at this level and we definitely hope to be back next year”

Hannah Gamester collects the commemorative trophy

Link to full results