I am delighted to report victory in the weekend’s meeting which took place in Sutton. Not being the best connected track in London my team staggered their arrival which put pressure on us in the early events which were the pole vault and the hammer.

Alessandro Brandimarti was the mainstay of our throwers but with Ashley Kibblewhite laid low with insect bites he needed to find another partner. Step forward sprinter Neil White for his debut in the hammer giving us two third places. Jamie Nelson then arrived in time for a pole vault. Our other vaulter, Angus Beaumont, arrived with the bar at 3 metres and having to do the 400 hurdles and the shot as our step in thrower at the same time. Failure at the Pole Vault was followed by a fall and last place in the hurdles but confidence was restored with full marks in the Shot.

The meeting then went smoothly for a while until another late show forced debutant Tom Quorrol into the 800m for a win in the B string. He also won the triple jump so gets an automatic invite to the next fixture!

JT Wong managed a pb in the long jump and Rashid Mohammed partnered Neil White well in the 100 and 200 sprints. Eric Phillips, Darren Spring and Andy Davies kept us in the points with three third places and a second in the 1500m and 5000m. Mark Stewart made a debut as B string 400m runner and took an impressive second to match JT’s score in the A race.

At this point the announcement revealed we had a one point lead over Paddock Wood and the injured captain scrounged some kit for an ill-advised 110m hurdles. A futile gesture in the end but one that allows him to take some of the credit for the team result!

Controversy followed with disqualification from the 4×100 relay having crossed the line in first. With things seemingly tight the team considering turning to video evidence, courtesy of Mark Stewart, to try to prove the baton had not been passed too early.

Nerves were calmed by a two wins in the steeplechase, Eric cruising home in first. Two points were taken in the 4×400 where change overs were legal if messy!

The final result saw the captain decline a shoulder high parade of the track (which was originally his suggestion) and instead a pub celebration took place.

I can’t tell you the standings at present but relegation seems unlikely now. Many thanks to the athletes and to Angie Palin who gave up her day to officiate and support. I hope to see others competing and helping before the season ends.

Charles