The warmest day of the year greeted the select few who contested the club’s track and field competition in the lovely surroundings of Lucton School sports field.
The Long Jump provides the traditional opener (spectacular action photos courtesy of April Pearson) and the pattern was set for the afternoon’s entertainment as the head to head contest between the evenly matched Pat and Dan commenced. Dan proved to have more spring in his more youthful legs to establish an early lead with Dave a close third. Ireland, despite taking off way before the board on each jump, recorded an early advantage over Kim with Rachel, competing at a minimal level due to injury, third.
No respite as the exhausting 400 metres quickly followed. In the first heat, Kim drew level with Ireland with a powerful run to set up another intriguing battle. In the second heat Dan proved too strong as he extended his lead over the 10 times champion in another close contest while Dave just held off the fast finishing Martin to hang on to 3rd place.
The Shot Put circle allowed a bit of a breather and Pat decided that he was not going to relinquish his title easily to the young whippersnapper Dan. A prodigious throw brought him back to within a point of the lead at the halfway stage. Dan retained the lead by just beating a determined Martin. Bryan produced his best display of the day with a demonstration of sheer septuagenarian strength – what a star. Kim’s long levers gave her an impressive win and a narrow lead after 3 events.
The test of who is the fastest sprinter, the 100 metres dash, supplied the most exciting spectacles of the day. Ireland held off the close attention of Kim in the first heat to eventually win comfortably. The second heat saw Neil and Guy tussle every step of the way as first one then the other held a slight advantage with neither prepared to give way. They were virtually inseparable as they crossed the finish line but the verdict was given to Neil as his slightly more developed pectorals dipped for the line first. This was after Neil had already completed the Worcester Triathlon that very morning ! The excitement continued in the final heat as Pat, Dave and Dan again ran stride for stride with Pat and Dave battling neck and neck over the final 10 metres. Pat held his rhythm and stride better to record an exhilarating victory and nose in front by a single point.
The javelin throw is a test of strength and co-ordination. Kim again just beat Ireland to give herself a one point lead with just one event to go. Dan is the club record holder at this event and he again proved his prowess with some colossal spear throwing. Pat was lying a comfortable second until Martin threw a proverbial spanner in the works with a huge throw which took him into 2nd place. Pat had hoped to rest his painful shoulder but was forced into one final big effort to keep himself in contention for the title. His massive throw landed in 2nd place but, unfortunately, his forward momentum caused him to overstep the line for a no-throw.
So the competitors toed the line for the final event, the 1500 metres, with Kim holding a single point lead over Ireland, Dan maintaining the same advantage over Pat and Dave also holding off Martin by a one point margin in the contest to take 3rd place. Dave led from the start in his quest to break the 5 minute barrier and built a big lead but the sweltering conditions took their toll in the final stages as he visibly wilted whilst still registering his first win of the day. Dan held off Pat to ensure himself of the title. Kim looked to be holding a commanding lead in the female event, but Ireland had never let the gap grow too big and she was able to unleash a blistering sprint finish to take a decisive win and a share of the title.
So Ireland and Kim shared the female honours and Dan won the male title for the 2nd time. Pat had to content himself with the veteran’s trophy and Rachel won the female equivalent.
An excellent afternoon’s entertainment with some close contests. Our thanks go to Lucton School for their generosity in allowing us to use their superb facilities.
MULTI-EVENTS 27.6.06 | |||||||
ATHLETE | L.JUMP | 400M | SHOT | 100M | JAVELIN | 1500M | TOTAL |
MALE | |||||||
Dan Barnett | 1. 4.35 | 1. 60.06 | 2. 8.92 | 3. 13.75 | 1. 35.14 | 2. 5.25 | 44 |
Patrick Pearson | 3. 4.4.22 | 2. 60.08 | 1. 9.12 | 1. 13.47 | 3. 30.90 | 3. 5.46 | 42 |
Dave Rouse Jnr. | 2. 4.4.19 | 3. 72.00 | 4. 6.85 | 2. 13.67 | 4. 20.57 | 1. 5.15 | 37 |
Martin Williams | 4. 3.94 | 4. 73.00 | 3. 8.77 | 4. 14.74 | 2. 32.68 | 4. 5.49 | 33 |
Neil Taylor | 5. 2.89 | 6. 82.80 | 5. 5.70 | 5. 16.75 | 5. 16.68 | 6. 6.55 | 22 |
Guy Whitmarsh | 6. 2.82 | 5. 82.10 | 7. 5.00 | 6. 16.78 | 6. 16.29 | 5. 6.14 | 19 |
Bryan Markham | 8. 1.83 | 8. 100.80 | 6. 5.68 | 8. 29.19 | 7. 12.16 | 7. 7.35 | 10 |
Tom Nelson | 7. 2.67 | 7. 100.60 | 8. 4.73 | 7. 19.87 | 8. 7.76 | x | 8 |
FEMALE | |||||||
Ireland Pearson | 1. 2.84 | 2. 99.00 | 2. 6.47 | 1. 17.02 | 2. 11.80 | 1. 7.41 | 15 |
Kim Wood | 2. 2.46 | 1. 95.00 | 1. 7.47 | 2. 18.65 | 1. 13.61 | 2. 7.51 | 15 |
Rachel Nelson | 3. 1.70 | 3. 111.20 | 3. 5.45 | 3. 22.58 | 3. 8.28 | x | 5 |