SML Match 1 Bedford 5 May 2012

Harlow fielded a 10 Man team to the first SML match at Bedford on Saturday 5 May on a cold blustery and occasionally wet day.  Division 2N is now a 6 team division who will meet at each match.

The day started well with a win for Glen Paxman in the A string Pole Vault with a jump of 2.60m backed by Craig Snook (vet 40)in the B string winning with 2.40m.

Two U17 athletes made their debuts with the senior team. Will Snook ran 2.05.4 in the 800m for second place in the B string and a new PB.  Sam Gale competed in the 1500m achieving 2nd place in A string in a time of 4.20.4 a new PB by 12 seconds. Team Captain, Dave Bauer said we are pleased to have both Will and Sam in the team this year and both performed excellently on the day with good results. Richard Mead also made his debut for the club running both the 800m A string (2.08.6 3rd) and 1500m B string (4.45.4 1st).

Numerous events were again covered by Glen Paxman with runs in the 100m A string (11.7 2nd),  200m A string(23.6 2nd), 400m A string(53.6 3rd), 400H B string (69.3 2nd), 3000 SC A string (13.37.0 2nd ).  Glen also competed in the following field events in addition to the Pole Vault.  High Jump A string (1.60m 1st), Long Jump A string (5.81m 1st), Triple Jump A string (10.81m 3rd), Shot Put B string (9.29 1st), Javelin B string (36.31 2nd) as well as running the final leg in both the 4x 100m and 4 x 400m relays.  Glen’s individual points total was an impressive 57.

Steve Down (vet 40) covered several events also stepping in following an injury to Carl Paxman. 200m B string (26.8 4th), 110mH A string (21.0 2nd), 400mH A string (66.9 2nd), 3000SC B string (14.55.2 1st), Triple Jump B string (9.82m 2nd) also running a leg of the 4x 100m relay.

Carl Paxman, prior to pulling out injured achieved the following. 100m B string (12.4 3rd), 400m B string (60.5 3rd) High Jump B string (1.00m =1st), Long Jump B string (5.75m 1st).

The throws produced good results for Dave Bauer (vet 45) with seasons bests in both the Shot Put  A string with 10.34m (1st) and Hammer A string with 34.61m (2nd). A throw of 37.17m in the Discus A string was enough to earn first place.

Other results: 5000m Tim Marshall A string (22.40.8 5th), Craig Snook Javelin A string (38.70 3rd) 110mH B string (30.8 3rd), Chris Clark Hammer B string (20.03 2nd) Discus B string (22.52 2nd).

4 x 100m relay – W Snook, R Mead, S Down, G Paxman 50.0 4th.

4 x 400m relay  - W Snook, R Mead, S Gale, G Paxman 3.56.6 4th.

Final result

1st Harlow 168.5

2nd Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets    129

3rd Marshall Milton Keynes128.5

4th London Heathside118

5th Braintree91.5

6th London AC54.5

Team Manager Catherine Bauer said, this is a great start to the season for Harlow with such a convincing win.  Hopefully we will be able to continue our success at our home match on 19 May at Braintree. We hope to be able to field a larger team next time with Harlow Running Club members joining us to cover the distance events and some other athletes who were unable to compete this weekend. Several athletes will also be in action this coming weekend at the County Championships to be held at Chelmsford.