EYAL
In the final match, Woodford scored an excellent 662 points to place 2nd behind hosts Bedford. This places us 10th in the league, thus qualifying for the Plate Final to be held on the 4th September at Hemel Hempstead. A number of fine performances were achieved on an extremely windy day, with strong gusts against the athletes on the back straight and top bend.
In the Under 13 girls Woodford were 4th with 60 points. Zahara Malcolm scored an excellent victory yet again in the 800m. Taking advice from her coach not to show her hand until late in the race, Zahara duly obliged by taking the Bedford runner on the top bend to win easily in 2 mins 34. Shona Vincent, another Year 6 having an excellent season, was 2nd in the 100m, equalling her PB of 13.8, 3rd in the 200m and 4th in the Long Jump. Charlotte Seaton, yet another Year 6, was 3rd in the 70 metre Hurdles. Hollie McArdell, after setting a new PB at Watford 10 days ago, had another fine race to place 2nd overall.
The Under 15 girls were 5th with 68 points. Lois McNeil ran well for 2nd in the B 100 metres and 1st in the B 300 metres. Simbiyat Siriu was 2nd overall in the Hammer.
Huge praise for our Under 17 Women who were 1st with 143 points. I must praise Ella Warwick who stepped way out of her comfort zone to run both the 800 and 1500 in order to cover gaps. Great club athlete. Also to Lucy Fuhr who likewise ran the 800 to cover gaps. Rebecca Fafowara was excellent too. She won the 200 metres, was 3rd in the 100 metres and 2nd in the 80 metres Hurdles. Phoebe Fuhr, another great all rounder, was 2nd in the Pole Vault and 2nd in the High Jump. Victoria Cuthbert won both the Hammer and Javelin, while Louise Gilbert just lost out on winning the 1500 metres but took a good 2nd place. The girls also triumphed in the 4 x 100 metres relay.
The Under 13 boys also won their age group with 117 points. Medwin Odemitten was superb in winning the A string 100 and 200, with Kaiden Chambers, only a Year 6, winning the B string in both sprints. Samuel Oshodi won the High Jump after placing a good 2nd in the 800. Training partners and Year 6 boys Maxwell Chinn and Alessandro Berni performed well. Maxwell was 2nd in the A string 1500m with Alessandro winning the B string. The boys easily won the 4 x 100 metres relay.
The Under 15 boys also won their age group with 144 points with many fine performances. Zac Moore placed 1st in the 200 metres after earlier claiming 3rd spot in the 100 metres. Lucan Negoni had an excellent win in the 300 metres with Joe Geller winning the B string event. Earlier Joe had again won the 800 metres with ease. Another of Norman Simmons' throwers, Rhys Martin, had another great afternoon for the team. Rhys won the Hammer and Javelin and was 2nd in the Discus. Samif Ashraf also did us proud with 1st in both the Pole Vault and High Jump and a 2nd in the 80 metres Hurdles.
The Under 17 Men were 2nd with 110 points. Thomas Finch must be praised for scoring points for competing for us then officiating in order so that we could pick up maximum points in that area too.
Jos Farquharson, reliable as ever, placed 2nd in the 200 metres and 3rd in the 100 metres. Joey O’Neil won the High Jump, while other 1st places were achieved by George Kabasubabo in the Triple Jump, Thomas Finch in the Discus, and Boris Bozhkov in the Shot Putt, B Discus and B Long Jump. Charles Reed won the B string Shot Putt. Finally, Jack Kilminster won the Hammer once again. The boys won the 4 x 100 metres.
We are most fortunate in having such good and reliable squads in our top age group, the Under 17s. They have contributed hugely to our success this season. A big pat on the back for our older athletes who set a fine example to our younger ones.
I must also thank our officials, who were splendid today as always. Great praise must go to the three Team Managers, Paul Cheal, Wendy Fuhr and Helen Finch, who have put in many hours over the five matches. A big well done to them.
The parents too must be thanked for travelling to all the matches as we have had three matches over 60 miles away. The coaches who look after the athletes week by week and help the managers should be thanked too.
So now we have the Plate Final to look forward to and at this stage I would encourage all our younger athletes to be willing to support us and your Team Managers should you be selected. With the right level of support we could find ourselves right in the mix at Hemel Hempstead on Sunday 4th September.