On Saturday 14th July the Harriers travelled to Kingsmeadow Athletic Centre at Kingston upon Thames and recorded another substantial win. They remain unbeaten this season and, with one league match left, the Championship Title is now within reach. The final league match is at Woking on Saturday 4th August.

 

This coming Saturday the team travels to Eton for the BAL Cup & Plate semi-final. We hope to get through to the final on 18th August at Bedford.

 

Match details:  Exeter 153 points, Thames Valley Harriers 120, Herts Pheonix 114.5, Highgate Harriers 105.5, Ipswich 9. Out of 36 events Harriers had 14 firsts, 17 seconds & 5 thirds. It's the team's collective strength across all events that ensures it's continuing success.

 

Mark Cowen running in the 5000 metres marked his return to the team, after being out through injury since last summer, by recording a very sound second place with a time of 16 mins 16.8 secs.

 

Super Veteran Dave Robinson making his team debut won his 'B' Pole Vault with a season's best jump of 2.80 metres.

 

Lee Salter had a great day by winning all of his 3 events - the 400 metres hurdles, the 400 metres in a personal best of 50.7 secs and finally the steeple chase 'B' scoring 15 valuable team points.

 

Veteran Thrower Jon Milum also did 3 events scoring 13 points recording a seasons's best performance of 47.86 metres in the hammer.

 

Hurdler & Jumper James Cook  competed in 3 events (& the 4 x 100m relay)  scoring 11 points.

 

Thrower Rob Woodger won both his throwing events scoring 10 points.

 

Sprinter & Jumper Simon Lewis did 2 events (season's best of 5.99 metres in the Long Jump) (& the 4 x 400m relay) scoring 9 points.

 

Thrower Dave Dawson had 2 events scoring 9 points.

 

Veteran Jumper Ian Allen scored 8 points in 2 jumping events.

 

Multi-eventer Nick Foxworthy competed in the Pole Vault (3.20 metres season's best) & Javelin scoring 8 points.

 

Sprinter Dan Buss did 2 events (7 the 4 x 100 relay) scoring 8 points.

 

Jack Bancroft in his first season of track racing achieved another great personal best of 2 mins 0.8 secs in the 800 metres - 2nd in his race.

 

Neil Broadbent, also in his first season with the team, was first in the 'B' 1500 metres  with a personal best  4mins 12.4 secs

 

Hurdlers Richard Scott & Glen Etherington recorded their customary first places in the 400 & 110 metres hurdles respectively.

 

Other team members ( Simon Rusbridge 2nd in the 'A' 1500 metres, Simon Minting - 2nd in the 'A' 400 metres, Owen Walpole 2nd in 'A' 800 metres, Peter Stockman 2nd in 'B'  5000 metres, Nick Woollett 1st in the 'A' 3000 metres Steeple Chase, Tom Elworthy 2nd in 'A' High Jump, turned in very solid performances - as they always do. Callum Skelley sustained a slight injury during the 100 metres and had to with draw from his remaining events. Hopefully a quick recovery will see himback in the team very soon.

 

The team was short of several key members (committments to English Schools Championships, other championships, injuries and holidays) and yet the team squad carries on regardless. Those athletes doing two, or more events, have been featured in this reportecause of their tremendous contributions to the team's performance in this match.

 

"As Team Manager I am very fortunate that the Harriers have so many talented athletes who wish to compete for the team. I have a squad of over 30 athletes who are totally loyal both to the team as a whole and each fellow team member as individuals. It's my priviledge to lead this great bunch of guys".