National Junior League match 1

The WGEL team came 7th at the first match of the National Junior League Southern Premier division, just 11 points behind composite team Basildon /Newham. . It was a bleak cold and rainy day which meant that few outstanding performances were expected. Yet despite the horrid conditions our athletes should be congratulated for their supreme efforts . There were 5 other NJL matches that were cancelled/abandoned so the South were very lucky.

The athletes who braved the elements did reasonably well in their usual events and showed great team spirit by encouraging each other when competing in unfamiliar events to try and plug the gaps.

Highlights were wins for Jordan Kirby-Polidore 100m 10.94sec and 200m 21.52secs, Jermaine Hamilton 200m (b) 21.93sec. Youcef Zatat won the Shot Putt with 14.82 (equal distance with the Shaftsbury athletes but won on count back with his 2nd best throw of 14.74m).

There were two new PB’s for James Stockings 800m (4th) in 1.58.89 and 1500m (4th ) in 4.07.77(4th).....and Paul Scanlan 400m 3rd in 49.68. Hollie Pattie-Belleli came 2nd. in the 100m hurdles in 15.18secs

Thanks are due to our travelling Officials Jean Burgess, Alice Akiwumi, Elaine Smith, Paul Cheal, Kathrine Foy and John Linham for sticking with it throughout the day of constant rain and gaining the 35 extra points.