Midland Masters Track & Field League, Southern Division.

Alexander Stadium, Birmingham, Wednesday 10th May 2006

League Win for B & R Ladies

Above: 100m winners Polly Gerner (left) and Yvonne Priestman.

Bromsgrove and Redditch A.C. ladies secured a win in the first fixture of the Masters Track and Field Athletic League at the Alexander Stadium, Birmingham.

The sprinters got the meet off to a flying start with wins in the 100m for Polly Gerner and Yvonne Priestman, closely followed by a second place for Julie Wakelam. In the 400 metres, World Indoor Champion Priestman stepped down several age groups to come home second in her race while a third from Louise Laxton and a fourth place from Ann Stuart gained crucial points for the team.

In the distance races, strong performances in the 1500m produced a win for Jane Anderson with third places for Judy Appleby and league debutant Emily Beacham. There was also a win for international athlete Sharon Tonks in the 2 kilometre walk.

Above: Sharon Tonks after her victory and Dave Henley competing on the track.

In the field events club secretary Rita Brownlie took first place in both the hammer and the triple jump. Wakelam followed up her success on the track with second places in the high jump and the javelin with Laxton leaping to third in her high jump event. In the final race of the evening Gerner, Laxton. Priestman and Wakelam set a new club record time as they finished second in the 4 x 200m relay to secure victory on the evening by 3 points over last seasons champions Birchfield. Club records were also broken by Priestman in the 100m and 400m and Brownlie in the triple jump with Wakelam matching the current high jump mark.

Above: Dave Carney (left) in mid-stride and 400m record-setter Alan Elsmere.

In the men’s match, team manager Phil Carbutt was kept busy gaining maximum points in the 1500 metres and the javelin and securing valuable points in the 400 metres and the high jump.  In the 2 kilometre walks Dave Henley was placed second and Frank Blake came home fourth. Both Dave Carney running in the 100m sprint and later in the 1500m gained important team points. Russell Rawlins completed the 1500m trio with a fourth place.

In the shot putt Midland Champion Mike Jones was placed first with a new club record throw. There was also a club record for Alan Elsmere in the 400 metres.

Injury prevented the men running in the relay finale leaving Carbutt pleased with fifth place on the night.

(JG)