SAL match 4 - Race report

Full-on day at Battersea track for our SAL home match and we had them all: from great performances to late night at the pub, from sandwich-gate to icosathlon fever and fantastic debuts; and then we had to say goodbye to one of our friends. In short, a wonderful day of team spirit and fun without icing on the cake, missing the win (again) by few points

Picture from SAL match 4 - Race report

Fourth match of the season for our SAL team and this time it was our home one at Battersea: we always want to do our best at the Millenium Arena. We had one of the strongest team this year, although we missed some of our regulars, and hoped we could give the other clubs a good run for their money. And as usual this season, we had a neck-and-neck competition just to miss out in the win for few points. 

  1. Wycombe Phoenix H & AC 339.0
  2. Serpentine 321.5
  3. Braintree & District AC 173.5
  4. Vale of Aylesbury AC 116.0
  5. Enfield & Haringey/HAWCS © 114.0
  6. Biggleswade AC 64.0

There were some outstanding performances and racing all along...

  • Our U17 Jonah pushed as hard as ever in the 800m to lose by few cm on the llne, but breaking 2 minutes for the first time: great run. And followed by Bart with a SB (and looking good for the World Master champs in Septermber). Non-scorer races was a Serpie affair with SBs all around
  • Anna H* won the battle of the Annas in the 5000m (all competitiors shared the same name) to clock a fanstastic PB in a solo run (and fourth all-time Serpie time on the distance), followed by Anna L (who can hurdle! If you ask me, I'd definitely look into the steeeplechase)
  • Sarah P clocked her best 1500m time in her senior career missing the 5 minute barrier by just 1s and finishing comfortably first
  • Awa stormed the 200m race winning by a big margin with Laura (who also won the 800m) also enjoying the distance. Sodiq also clocked a new 200m PB continuing his amazing progress
  • Icosathlon fever meant the 3000m steeplechase was packed with Serpies (six out of seven runners were from our club) with Andy as usual leading our contingent home
  • Our beardy pole vaulter Tony and Peter (winner of this match's beard competition) both kept improving with SBs consolidating their leadership in the PV club champs
  • Dani, Joost and Tim clocked some great times in 3000 and 1500, looking good for the club champs in few days
  • Was good to see Hel sprinting and jumping again coming back from injury, while newbie Anna Harding run a solid 400m.
  • In the field, tough days for our regulars: Mary spent the day jumping when she wasn't throwing, while Alex. Deb, Tony, Peter were consistent with previous matches' results. Was good also to see Vinh back in action (also winning of he LMS award at the pub): he is still looking for his T&F mojo, so please return it to him if you find it
  • David and Stu had a head-to-head race in the 110m Hds, while CAmilla clocked a PB in the women race.
  • Good to see Matt Williams back high jumping with us after some time off and nearly at his top form
  • Our points were rounded off by Sophie (filling some new events for her), Clem, Jaran David C, Marcin, Jeremy and Ben who helped our team where needed

* Anna was also awarded Woman of the Match with the best performance on the day across the six clubs

Full results will be soon on our website and on the SAL page.

As usual, we could have not done this match without our helpers, officials and volunteers, which this time also had to organise the match. Massive thank you to Ian and Sally Hodge, Malcolm Fremch, David Lipscomb, Daisy Gladstone, Sarah MacKenzie, Andrew Maynard, Deb Bishaw, Josie Wildridge, Sammy Li, Bev Thomas (extra busy with announcements, results and catering duties), Cliff Hide and apologies if we have missed anyone

Last, but not least, we finished the day saying goodbye to one of our SAL pillars in the last six years: this was the last match for Dani De Palol before moving back to Barcelona. He will definitely be missed and we hope he will still manage few appereances with us in the future.

The last 2019 match will be on Saturday 17th August in Ware. More details will follow, but get in touch with us if you have any question or would like to take part. And for those worrying it is the same day as the Summer Party, don't despair, plenty of time to do both!

Nic and Laura
SAL team captains

[Photo by Jon Lewis]

Submitted: 17 July 2019

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