UK Womens League  2002

Newport Harriers UK Women's League

The UK Women's League 2nd round Yate 21st July

On Sunday, Newport Harriers Women's team were in Yate, where they competed in the second of their three UK Women's League matches. With a couple of athletes unavailable because of injuries and several members of the team withdrawing as they had been selected to compete in Monday's Welsh Games, it left the club relying on it's strength in depth and it's renowned team spirit.

A very strong Newham and Essex Beagles team who had won the first match, edged into an early lead, with Newport seeming to be the only side capable of mounting a challenge for overall victory. While Newham and Newport were battling it out at the top, Havering, Bournmouth and Bristol were having their own battle for third place, fighting to stay clear of the two relegation spots.

Kirsten Martin stormed to a powerful victory in the individual 400m, and then with Rhian James, Ros Richards, and Sarah Newman snatched an exciting victory in the 4x400m relay. Nikki Witton was the only other winner, taking victory in the Pole Vault. There were 2nd places for Lara Richards in the Long Jump A, and 400mH B and Gemma Jones in the Long Jump B, Rozelle Cavacuitti and Steph Little in the A & B High Jump, Sarah Newman in the 400mH A, Rhian James in the 800m B and Kirsten Martin again in the 200m B also finished 2nd. Donna Porazinski finished3rd in the 100m B and sister Nikki also took a 3rd in the 400m B as did Nicky Haines-Jones in the 5000m A.

At the end of the match Newham had secured their second victory, and Newport were well clear in second, assuring themselves of overall second place in the league, and well situated in the league, to gain promotion to division three.

Club Chairman Brian Hancock said, "We have been improving our league placing over the last couple of seasons, finishing third last year, and fourth the year before. Young athletes Lowri Westow, Rozele Cavacuitti and Nikki Porazinski have all made their league debuts this season and have done really well, illustrating how well our young athletes are developing and helping to increase our strength in depth."

The third and final match of the season takes place in August in Cardiff, and Newport will be going all out to secure their first promotion in this league.

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