Notts Sports Hall League match 3
Despite the proximity of Christmas a marvellous turn out of Newark ACs’ young athletes produced a fantastic second place overall in the third of this season’s matches in the Sportshall competition at the Grove on Sunday 20th December 2009. Indeed, there were just four points between Newark and the winners Nottingham AC this time – the closest the Club has come to winning one of these matches for many a year. Of the six age categories contested, Newark won three of them – the under 11 boys, under 11 girls and under 15 girls.
No less than ten event wins were a major factor in this excellent result by the ever improving Newark team. Under 11 girl Keating Walters won two events with 5.42 m in the standing triple jump and 5.92m in the chest push. Fellow under 11s Molly Ripley, Oliver Whaley and Luke Willers were all also winners on the day. Molly’s sizzling win was in the 1 lap sprint in 13.9 secs; Oliver’s victory was in the speed bounce (47 jumps) and Luke won the event he set a Sportshall record in last time out, the chest push, with 6.80m. The under 11 boys and girls obstacle relay teams both triumphed, proving the Club’s current strength in depth in this age group. The relay teams were Luke, Oliver, Chris Ward and Jack Satterley (1.34.3 min) - and Molly, Charlotte Ripley, Asia Moody and Eden Sandy (1.31.8 min).
The other winners were a delighted Tyler Ludlam in the under 13 boys standing triple jump (5.18m), a majestic Emma Jessop in the under 15 girls 4 lap race (56.7 secs) and the all conquering under 15 girls 4x2 lap relay team (Emma, Eloise McQuaid, Lauren Rowberry and Bethany Scotney) in 1.46.3 min.
Heather Barnes and Eleanor Ripley were the other under 15 girls featuring in that age group’s win. Heather powered her shot to 7.45m and second place while Eleanor produced 75 jumps to finish top of the guest performances in the speed bounce.
Completing the teams for the under 11 categories win were James Lepley who produced a personal best in the 1 lap (14.4 secs), Olivia Mathias who had the best guest performance in the chest push (4.94m), Olivia Wightman who can be very pleased indeed with her 41 jumps in the speed bounce - and three athletes making their very promising debuts, Isaac Ridley, Chantelle Haywood and Jack Skiba.
John Jessop and Peter Carrington flew the flag superbly for the under 15 boys, both achieving second places. John’s came in the 4 lap race (55.3 secs) while Peter achieved the runner up spot in two events - the 2 lap (24.6 secs) and standing triple jump (6.82m).
As the only under 13 girl Charlotte Peach was again a key member of the team and did not disappoint with her highlight being a third placed 1.37.4 min in the 6 lap event. The under 13 boys benefited from the dependable presence of Edward Booth who achieved an excellent second place in the shot with 5.51m and newcomer Jack Fenton who impressed hugely with his third place in the 2 lap (28.4 secs).
The club even managed to field four under 9s in their 1 lap event – Jake Ludlam, Annabel Peach, Jessica Satterley and Millie Wightman.
At the other end of the age scale no less than 3 adult teams took to the floor to risk life and limb for the traditional Christmas relay event. Subjecting themselves gamely to this were Paul Carrington, Amy Fendley, Julie Fenton, Jackie Jessop, Sue Lepley, Paul Lynch, Simone Mathias, Mark Moody, Richard Peach, Darren Rowberry, Kevin Sandy and Marion Willers.
The next Sportshall event is on 17 January 2010.