North of England Track & Field – Match One 5th May Stanley Park

 

Well, that’s it; the first match out of the way and we are up and running (Plus throwing and jumping) again!

As always we would like to thank everyone that took part on Saturday, not just the athletes – great though they were – but also all the officials, recorders, scorer, St John Ambulance and even the Sports Centre staff. Not sure we’ve ever seen so many Sports Centre staff in attendance – something to do with the sunny day or am I just being cynical?

The overall result was not too bad, we are still waiting final scrutiny, but it seems we will be 2nd, about 50 points behind Blackburn, only 6 or so in front of Preston though, with the rest trailing in behind us three. Overall, we should thank everyone who turned out, some really good performances for so early in the season, but still, the events that were not covered is where we need to improve!

Let’s start though with the good stuff………..As a team the relays provided some great excitement and strong finishes which really demonstrated that we ARE a Club built on team work and togetherness. The ladies 4x100 squad who dominated the race thanks to the U17 support were very unlucky to be ruled out at the finish. No doubt they will put that right at the next match? Meanwhile the men’s 4x100 squad were narrowly second but both ladies and men’s 4x400 teams completely overwhelmed the opposition and rounded off the afternoon on a high – well done to everyone.

Elsewhere, it was good to see some new, some (slightly) older and some returning athletes after long lay-off or injury.

The new – great performances from the new members and the U17’s! Although reluctant to pick out individuals as we might miss out a great performance, you were all vital to the team result. Notably however, Dawn Gasgarth improved beyond her dreams in her new event, the Pole Vault, Gareth Jones was terrific in the Javelin, Dan Ettrick brilliant in the High Jump and ‘young’ U17 Katy Holder was a real star at her first ever attempt in the 400 hurdles. All the U17’s were also turning out on the Sunday at Carlisle so a big thanks to them for taking part.

The (slightly) older – fantastic effort from Nick Hume to spend all day in the box hunched over a new results programme and computer to turn out our results quickly and accurately. Nick then stretched his legs over the 5K and although he seemed disappointed by his time, it was fantastic of him to even offer his services like that. Thanks Nick, you were brilliant.

The returning – well, where to start here? Caroline Betmead back on the track in tangerine (and black and white), great performance, dominated her race right from the start. Similarly Jono Prowse, back from a season of injury, making his mark again on the track. And what about the ‘new’ rising stars in John McIlwham and Wayne Ellwood? Both supporting the team like the old days and wonderful to see them back again – really looking forward to them competing again as we go through the summer.

Let’s not forget the rest of the squad, again without thanking everybody who supported so well, there were joint ‘A’ & ‘B’ string wins for Laurie Needham/MattWright  (pictured) at Pole Vault same for Kara Nwidobie-Sharpe/Julia Clayton and Grant Myerscough/Bob Wyper all in the Discus. Dan Ettrick (U/17) and Damian Clayson in High Jump, and training partners Ted Romney and Chris Beggan at 400m. We also had fantastic individual ‘A’ string winners in Laura Davies, Grant again and Kathryn Maunder and fine ‘B’ string wins for Gail Ellershaw and Katy Holder. All of these were good point scorers, but just as important were some of the supporting cast who brought in all those extra six points that lifted us above the dreaded Preston.

 

For the not so good, it’s a real shame we can’t find some hurdlers and steeplechasers and we had at least half a dozen events with no second string entrants. As we will be away for all our future matches, we need as much support as we can get to claw back the points off Blackburn and force our way into a play-off position. Anyone you can round up will be warmly welcomed!

 

 

Let’s finish though on the positives and the good news. Great start, great team performance and lots of hope and encouragement for the coming months.

 

The next NOE meeting is at Cleckheaton on 2nd June, another Saturday. Clear the diary and let the team manager know if you cannot make it – PLEASE!

 

We will try to arrange for a coach to take us to Cleckheaton, it’s not safe to go into deepest, darkest Yarkshire on your own! Again, if you have to travel under your own steam, let the manager know so we don’t book a double-decker when a minicab might do.

 

 

Thanks again to everyone for Saturday. Good Luck for the rest of your individual Track & Field season and see you all (and others?) at Cleckheaton in June.

 

 

 

Derek Newton, Ian Smith & Rita Hope.

(Your Managers in case you didn’t realise!)