YDL Upper Match Report – Ealing, Sunday 29th May 2016

By William Kearsey

Once again, few BAC athletes managed to turn out for the second Upper Age Group Youth Development match of the season. However, the seven that did make it to Ealing (taking advantage of the free coach travel – may the rest of out athletes take note of this for future away competitions!) all performed very well. The combined BAC/New Forest Junior team came 5th. All the below results are in the U17 age group unless stated otherwise.

Cameron Hale was the only male from BAC. Cameron was 2nd in the Javelin with a throw of 47.82 and 2nd in the High Jump with a jump of 1.80m.

After gaining a new PB in the South West Athletics Gala in Exeter on Saturday, Madeleine Smith improved once again in the Triple Jump, with a distance of 11.38, coming 1st in the U20W age group. Madeleine was 3rd in the Long Jump U20 W and also competed in the U20 javelin and shot to gain points for BAC/NFJ.

Abigail Richardson was 3rd in U17W 300m with a PB of 45.65, 2nd in 1500m with a huge PB of 5.01.33 and 3rd in High Jump with a jump of 1.35.

Olivia Galloway was 1st in B string 80m Hurdles with a time of 12.38, 1st in Javelin with a throw of 32.67 and 1st in B string Shot with a putt of 10.75m.

Iona Sheerin was 1st competing in U20 High Jump with a jump of 1.55, 2nd in 80m Hurdles in 12.89 and 2nd in Long Jump with a jump of 5.09m.

Amelia Dobson was 1st in Triple Jump with a distance of 10.45m and 1st in B String Javelin with a PB of 28.8m.

Last but not least Danielle Broom continued her fine form coming 1st in all of her 3 events. In Hammer she threw 55.61m, Discus 41.08m and Shot 12.49. All 3 being near her PB’s for U17 weights.

Iona, Danielle and Olivia ran in the 4x100m relay with Danielle Gale from NFJ, coming 2nd in a time of 51.99.

British Athletics had (along with the 1st match) specially selected the 29th May so that it would not interfere with athletes’ studies as this weekend falls during half term for many. Unfortunately British Athletics’ good intentions fell on fallow ground and were not helped by England Athletics organising a jumps competition in Bedford for Saturday the 28th. A number of BAC jumpers opted to compete at Bedford as they are perfectly entitled to do so. Perhaps British Athletics and England Athletics should liaise when arranging their competitions? I don’t think the EU can take the blame in this instance.