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Seniors overcome troubles to make final

Jon Walsh

800 metre winner in 2.0.7, Jon Walsh

Stockport’s senior team were competing at Cudworth on Saturday in the North of England Inter Club Championship’s Plate competition. The day was filled with disasters for the Harriers, yet ended in joy when it was announced we had finished in 3rd place overall, and thus qualified for the final by just 6 points!

Firstly Hannah Raines sprained her knee whilst attempting a new PB in the high jump, leaving her 3 other events uncovered.

Sprinter Rachel Boothby volunteered to tackle the 400 metre hurdles race, and ran bravely to placed 3rd.

The 1,500 metres was covered by 400 metre runner Sam Riley who recorded a very respectable 5.31, also in 3rd place.

Then club newcomer Katie Deutsch was reluctantly persuaded to run a leg of the 4 x 400 metre relay, despite having never run that distance before.

The team’s problems did not end here. Nicola Barratt got lost en route, and did not arrive in time for the long jump competition, so her place had to be taken by team manager Vicki Robinson who was already competing in 4 other events.

Nicola’s 2 hour journey proved worthwhile though when she arrived just in time for the 100 metre hurdles race, and won by over 3 seconds in a season’s best of 16.5 seconds.

There were similar transport problems for the men’s team. Mike Shaw was stuck in traffic and unable to make it in time for the 5,000 metres, meaning that Andy Wittingham who had already endured a 10,000 metre race, had to run a further 12.5 laps!

It was not all doom and gloom though as there were some impressive performances from athletes competing in their usual events too.

Katrina Maddocks competing for the team for the first time this year placed 2nd in the shot putt with 8.84 metre.

Katie Deutsch won the triple jump by just 6cm in 10.25 metre.

Scott Caine stormed to victory in the 200 metre in 22.4 seconds.

Dave Hicketts was similarly impressive winning the 3,000 metre steeple chase by almost 1 minute in 10.38, and Jon Walch ran a brilliant 800 metres to take victory, and just miss out on going sub 2 mins with 2.00.7.

Both teams are now looking forward to the Plate Final, which takes place at Cudworth on August 28th.

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