Midland Men’s Track and Field League, Division 3

Match 4, Worcester: 5 th August, 2006

Above: B&R team photo from the Worcester fixture.

Standing left to right are: Rita Brownlie (official), Gavin Moorhead, Tom Richardson, Andy Freeman, James Hart, Sam Cater (vice captain), Mike Rudkin, Julie Wakelam (official). Sitting from left to right: Dave Henderson, Matt Addison, James Adie (Team Captain), John Dineen, Mark Bennett. Absent are Paul Collins, Matt Meckin and Dave Carney (Track Judge).

(Click here to open larger copy of the same picture in a new window. 445 kB so will take a while if you're not on broad band)

In the final round, B&R finished a creditable 5th (see overall table below) at Worcester. This placed us 4th in the overall league standings after 4 rounds making for an improvement from the last years 5th place finish. Congratulations guys! Firstly, I'd like to thank all family members/friends and officials for their continued support over the years. It is very much appreciated. In relation to the latter, the fielding or non-fielding of officials in each league meeting is worth 15 points (i.e. 5 points per match x 3 officials [time keeper, field official and track judge] per match). This means that we could either gain or lose up to 60 points in the whole season which could be the difference between promotion and relegation. That is to say, having the availability of officials is important in these meetings. This year we have been very well supported by our qualified officials. However, we do not have sufficient cover for when graded officials have other commitments and cannot make certain meetings. Added to this, there is always a need for additional officials/helpers to officiate in the field events. If anyone would like to go on an officials' training course for personal interest or to help the club out, please see details below: (so tell your mates, partners or mum's and dad's)  

There will be a one day Track & Field officials course at Halesowen on Sunday 22 nd October 2006.

The course fee is £25 but B&R will cover the cost for any B&R members willing to go on the course.

Anyone who's interested in becoming a graded track or field official i.e. timekeeper etc. should please contact the organiser Steve Carrott (Tel. No. 01684 563024). Any B&R member interested in attending the course should inform Mike Mole or any of the committee.

Moving on...I would also like to congratulate everyone on the effort they have put in this year. It has been great that team members have volunteered to do additional events outside their speciality. It was really pleasing that we had a great turn out to cover all aspects of the track and field events. To compete with the other top teams next season we should aim to field at least twelve athletes consistently in each match. We did this at Worcester and it really paid dividends. It is worth highlighting some of the excellent individual performances in this match. Firstly, running in a very fast 800m race Tom Richardson (U20) produced a PB of 2:02mins for 6th place. Tom also ran a good 400m (54.5s) following his 800m. Second to record a PB was Mark Bennett running the 200m in 24.8s. A pleasing performance, especially after having had an injury setback earlier in the season. There was a double victory in the men’s 'A' and 'B' 3000m steeplechase event for Gavin Moorhead (11:12mins) and James Adie (9:58mins). Also in the distance events, Matt Addison finished 1st and 2nd in the 'A' 1500m (4:02mins) and 3000m (9:05mins) races. John Dineen was back in competition after 2 years with injury problems. Dineen was in good form to finish 3rd in the 'B' 1500m event (4:30mins). Paul Collins running in the 'B' 3000m finished 2nd with 9:55 mins. Dave Henderson running out as guest runner in the 3000m produced a new PB of 9:35mins. In the throwing events, Sam Cater has been highly consistent all season. He won both the 'A' Javelin (54:81m) and Hammer (33:90m). Mike Rudkin, recovering from a groin strain, was also in good form in the 'B' hammer event throwing 25:41m for 2nd. In the 'B' Javelin event, Andrew Freeman threw out 31.10m (season’s best) to finish 5 th. Finally, James Hart taking part in all the 'A' jumping events, landed 2 PBs in the long jump (6:30m; 2 nd) and triple jump (12:34m; 2nd). He was second in his specialist event, the high jump (1:80m). Congratulations to all those recording new personal bests in this match and in previous fixtures this season. Since this is my last match managing the team, I would like to say a big thank you to the officials and friends/family members that have supported us and also to the athletes for working hard and their banter! Finally, I wish the next manager every success and look forward to seeing you all soon. Have a good winter’s training.

Best wishes,

James Adie

Men’s Senior Men’s T&F Manager 2006

Above: Final league points for Midland Men’s T&F League Div. 3 2006.

(JA)