Medway and Maidstone’s Ladies and Men team got off to a winning start in their first Southern Athletic League fixture on Saturday 14th April in Harrow, North West London.
The men’s team had some fine early season performances. In the sprints Andre Wright got off to a winning start with an 11.2 ‘A’ race victory followed by a 22.1 2nd place in the 200m. Young Rory Kuypers running a 11.3 PB for 2nd in the ‘B’ 100m and going one better to win the 200m ‘B’ in 23.1s. Joe Burton was just pipped for victory in the 400m ‘A’ with a time of 51.0s with U17 Ben Blake recording a PB for his ‘B’ race 52.7s 2nd place. The 800m was another close race with Jacques Cunningham Marsh just 2nd in ‘A’ race with a time of 1.59.5s. Reegan Archer 3rd in ‘B’. U17 Ben Hughes was a run-away winner in the 1500m ‘A’ race in 4.14.5s and Marley Godden making it a winning double in the ‘B’ race. Simon Habtom and Lee Mcmeekin another winning double in the Men’s 5000m teaming up again later in the 2000m Steeplechase with Simon 2nd ‘A’ and Lee winning the ‘B’ producing a great super sub performance being called in at the last minute. Lewis Heffernan though producing a 55.5s excellent PB was just beaten into 2nd in the 400m hurdles ‘A’ race on the final dip. Andrejs Safars having a comfortable ‘B’ race victory in 64.0s. The same two were again comfortable victors in the 110m hurdles ‘A’ and ‘B’ races. Andrejs was also the winner of the ‘A’ triple jump with Jacques C Marsh ‘B’ victor. Lewis Heffernan stepping up for a Long Jump 5.78m 2nd place as did Reegan Archer in the ‘B’. Brothers George and Ben Blake teamed up for The pole vault for a double victory George winning ‘A’ with a 3.30m leap and Ben winning ‘B’. They doubled again for two 2nd places in the high jump with Ben equalling his 1.70m PB. With little rest George was over competing in the Javelin again securing ‘B’ 40.58m victory. The event being won for the club by Sonny Nash with an excellent early season 56.23 throw to secure ‘A’ victory. Elder brother Will Blake was another in PB form with a 9.91m Shot and 26.50 Discus ‘B’ where brother George also had a 30.29 PB for 3rd ‘A’. Stuart Earl was 3rd in ‘B’ Shot and Andrejs Safars a fine 28.26 Hammer.
The relays had a 2nd place in the 4x100m with a time of 45.5 for Lewis Heffernan, Andre Wright, Ben Blake and Rory Kuypers. In the 4x400m the team of George Blake, Joe Burton, Lewis Heffernan and Andre Wright went one better to claim victory in a time of 3.35.1s.
There were some equally strong early season performances for the woman too. Darcey Kuypers 2nd place in the 100 ‘A’ in 13.2s and Abigail Walters 2nd ‘B’ with a PB of 13.5s. Darcey then taking 1st in the 200 ‘A’ in 25.9s and in the ‘B’ a PB for Lucy Hope in. 26.6s. Lucy also finished 2nd in the 400 ‘B’ in 63.2s with Eleanor Wastell 3rd in the 400 ‘A’ in 60.9s. The 800m saw an easy win for U17 Charlotte Young, winning the ‘A’ race in 2.26.9s with Kerry Dewberry taking 3rd ‘B’ with a PB in 2.47.9s. In the 1500m ‘A’ Stephanie Hearn 3rd in a time of 5.30.2s and Mo Fazakerley 1st ‘B’ in 6.28.5s. In the 3000m ‘B’ there was also 3rd place for Mo in 13.33.3s and Bernadette 4th in the ‘A’ in 12.46.3s. Bernadette also 1st in the 2000 steeplechase ‘B’ string in 9.48.6s with Stephanie Hearn 1st ‘A’ in 8.52.1s. There were strong runs in the relay with Eleanor Wastell, Darcy Kuypers, Lucy Hope and Charlotte Young contesting both thee 4x100m in 51.5s and 4x400m in 4.20.0s
In the long jump there were 3rd places and PBs for both Elle Wastell ‘A’ and Kerry Dewberry ‘B’ jumping 4.81m and 4.17m respectively. Kerry also achieving 2nd place in the High Jump ‘B’ in 1.25m with 1st for Abigail Walters in 1.50m. In the triple jump ‘A’ there was a 4th place for Jessica Blake 7.10m and 2nd place for Mo Fazakerley in 6.40m. Jessica also 1st. In the hammer there was excellent competition with PB throws and 1st places for both mother and daughter team Jessica and Wendy Blake. With Jessica achieving ‘A’ 36.58m and Wendy ‘B’ 20.73m. Both also contesting the javelin with Jessica 3rd ‘A’ 16.55m and Wendy 3rd ‘B’ in 10.14m place. A busy day for Jessica also competing in the Discus ‘B’ in 2nd and a PB 23.09m. M&M welcomed new comer Vanessa Hammon to the club competing strongly for 2nd ‘A’ in a PB 34.68. Both Vanessa and Jessica also contesting the shot with 3rd places and PBs for both with Vanessa ‘A’ 9.07m and Jessica ‘B’ 7.27m.
With four more meeting to go and the next match in Croydon on the 20th of May it makes for an interesting season.