Midland League 2008

Newport Harriers Midland Athletics League

Midland League Division 4 - Match 4 Birmingham 3rd August

Newport Harriers Senior Men and Women

Magnificent team effort cannot prevent relegation for Newport

Newport took their strongest team of the season to Birmingham University campus with a mission to keep us in Division 4. Our task was to finish ahead of Royal Sutton Coldfield and Leamington as this would guarantee our safety. Unfortunately they had the same idea and brought their strongest teams as well. As the afternoon wore on it became clear we were losing ground and despite some late rousing performances in the relays our fate was sealed and we dropped to Division 5.

Although disappointed, Newport could take pride in their efforts. The men alone produced six Personal Bests and nine Season Bests. Several athletes competed in unfamiliar events to earn vital points – Rhianne Jones in the 1500m, Amy Jones in the 3000m, Colin Bradley in the javelin, Darryn McAtee in the steeplechase.

So disappointed yes, but our spirit still intact. Look out Division 5 – here we come!

Senior Men – Lee Richards on top form

Lee Richards transferred to Newport at the start of the season and has instantly become a vital team member with his strong running in the 800m and 4 x 400m relay. All season he has hovered just outside two minutes but today broke the 2-minute barrier for the first time for an outstanding PB. Lee was ably supported in the B race by Malcolm Medhurst who knocked 5 seconds off his Season Best.

One of the most gratifying sights of the day was the return of Carl McEwan after a two-year absence due to injury. Despite the rust in his joints he produced a quality run in the 200m for victory in the B race. Our other men’s track victory came in the 3000m where Nathan Hardee controlled the race from start to finish. In the same race young Emrys Penny produced a PB.

Performance of the day in the field came from Mark Boswell who threw 34.15 for a PB in the hammer. Meanwhile Tom Kivell was our most successful athlete winning the long jump, high jump and triple jump. In the B triple jump Malcolm Medhurst recorded his best jump for three years.

Senior Women – Ceria Rice solves Newport’s middle-distance conundrum

All season Newport’s women have been unable to find an authentic middle-distance runner so it was great to see Ceria Rice double-up in the 800m and 1500m. Ceria ran particularly well in the 800m, using her cross-country strength to pick off athletes and finish 4th in her Midlands League debut.

The women recorded four victories in total. Rhianne Jones and Rebecca Williams won 400m A and B respectively, with the over-excited announcer declaring Rhianne’s win from the outside lane to be reminiscent of Juantorena’s victory in the 1976 Olympics – high praise indeed! Kirsten Waring was her usual busy self, competing in both hurdle events and winning the B 200m.

Rhiannon Yates was Newport’s other winner on the day in the long jump. Elsewhere in the field the squad of Lisa Boswell, Sian Jordan and Kirstie Milne covered A and B strings in all four throwing events with Lisa gaining the highest placing with 2nd in the shot.
 

Officials score maximum points once again

Many thanks to all the Newport Officials that travelled from far and wide to score maximum points for officials. We saw individuals come hundreds of miles to help us out, including Richie Jenkins, John Townsend, Jean Rodgers, Michelle Williams, and Mike Simmons. With the regular stalwarts Keith Powell and Colin Bradley making up the field team. A special mention for John who switched from his favoured track duties to the field to ensure maximum points.

Match result

Men's Results

Women's Results

Division 4 table after 4 matches

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