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This was a valiant effort
by a much weakened Stoke AC team to keep us in the midst of a four way
battle for the second promotion spot behind a strong Kent team. The
loss of ten top athletes to a combination of the Loughborough
International meeting, Decathlon competitions and injury, was offset
by a committed hardcore of 'I'll do anything' competitors. Despite
having the second smallest team at the meeting every event was filled
and every point fought for, under a surprisingly hot sun for Cardiff.
Wins were few and were all the more appreciated for that. Junior
Martin Chomaniscz proved that age is no barrier in winning the 100m
'A' race. Multi-eventer Roger Skedd racked up a stack of points with
an excellent win and 'electronic' PB in the 110m Hurdles 'A' race and seconds in
the Long Jump and Pole Vault 'B' events. The only other victory came
from another Junior, Gregg Nixon who won the Discus 'B' with a PB of
41.86m.
Another multi-eventer Neil Fairlamb was second in the Javelin 'B'.
Junior Alex Williams vaulted 4.00m for third in the 'A' Pole Vault.
Dave Mountford achieved third in both the Long Jump and Triple Jump
'A' events as did Morris Fox in the Shot and Discus. Morris also
turned back the clock to contribute an opening leg to the 4x100m relay
team.
The overall level of commitment was exemplified by Tom Gayle who
achieved PBs in a both the 800m and the 5000m, Gavin Walters who
knocked 17 seconds off for a PB in the 3000m Steeplechase and then
also ran in the 1500m, and particularly Rob Rhodes who competed in the
High Jump, 400 Hurdles and the 4x400 relay in addition to the 3000m
Steeplechase. Danny Thompson competed in the 110m Hurdles with 1
minute's notice and Andy Prophett completed 3 events on his 40th
consecutive appearance for the club in the British Athletics League.
To achieve promotion to division 2 from this position possibly
requires us to win the last two fixtures - but at least we're not out of contention.
John Danahay
Photos - thanks to Adrian Thiemicke
 Alex
Williams clearing 4.00m |
 Roger
Skedd clearing 3.80m |
 Martin
Chomanisc winning 100m |
 Roger
Skedd winning 110m Hurdles |
 Neil
Fairlamb triple jumping |
 Rob
Rhodes in the Steeplechase |
 Roger
and Alex in the Pole Vault |
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