South of England Road Relays – Aldershot - 30 September 2001

Havering Mayesbrook’s young middle distance prospect Ashley Reece showed his potential in the SEAA Road Relays at Aldershot on Sunday when he came away with the individual gold for the fastest leg in the Under 13 boys’ category.  Sitting in with the leaders early on Ashley took off around half way and opened a large gap on the chasing pack to come home in front in 10m 21 secs, which proved to be 20 seconds faster than another runner in this age group.  Matthew Watkins (11:14) and Jay Ryan (11:48) unexpectedly maintained the lead leaving newcomer Lee Hatch, running in club colours for the first time, with the unenviable task of defending the lead on the fourth and final leg.   Lee battled well and held on to a medal position until the last half-mile when he was overhauled and came home in fourth.

Ashley Reece -fastest u13 leg

Another excellent showing came in the senior ladies event where the Havering Mayesbrook foursome of Debbie Sullivan, Lauren Deadman, Nikki Barnett and Faye Fullerton placed fifth, the best showing for years at this level, against some of the best runners in the south, including winners Bedford led home by Paula Radcliffe in record-breaking form.  Sullivan came home in fourth place on the first leg in 13:17, which registered as ninth fastest in the event.  Deadman and Barnett kept the squad in the top six before Fullerton set off in a vain chase to close down the leaders.  She set off at blistering pace overtaking several opponents but suffered in the latter stages, although just holding on to fifth, clocking 13:37 for her leg. 

The U15 girls, without Sara Luck and Megan Foley, did well in seventh. Charlotte Watkins on the first leg clocked 11:02 for fifth fastest on the day while Natalie Adams (11:44) and Robyn Matson (11:57) maintained a good finishing place. Remarkably three other Havering Mayesbrook trios finished in this age group, placing 22nd, 32nd and 44th.

In the youngest category, the u13 girls, there was a top 8 placing from Lauren Clark (9:02), Georgina Clark (9:33) and Katie Richardson (9:03), with the B and C teams coming home in 22nd and 35th.

Also in action were the u17 men and U15 boys who finished 20th and 24th in their respective age groups.