THURROCK’S mens section of 8 athletes made heroic efforts to cover all the events in the Southern Athletics League match at Braintree on Saturday.
They missed out only on one events and this was because of a traffic jam on the A13 which delayed the arrival of Ben Gibbs for the high jump.
Ben competed in nine events during the course of the afternoon. These included a double win in the sprints and victory in the B110m hurdles.
If Ben can master the pole vault he could make an outstanding multi-events athlete.
Nick Houghton competed in 10 events. High standard in the middle distance events meant that his points return there was lower than usual. He won the B400m hurdles and scored points in the shot, discus, hammer and high jump (1.65m) and both relays.
Michael Shortall achieved a double win in the hurdles. He has lost only one race of the whole season. But he was most pleased with his B100m victory, his first of the season.
Jack Farmer was in good form. His victory came in the B200m and he was 2nd in his main event the 400m.
With Serpentine Running Club and Ealing,
Southall and Middlesex competing the standard in the middle distance was very high.
Scott Rice, Dennis Cross and Nick Houghton didn’t achieve their usual wins but earned a fair quota of points.
Gary Cahill made a good debut with a 4.33s 1500m. Paralympian, Lewis Unwin, gained valuable competitive experience in the shot and javelin and he, under the guidance of coach Les Bell, has made spectacular strides since he joined the Club in December.
Final positions 1st Ealing and Southall, 2nd Serpentine, 3rd Thurrock, 4th Braintree and 5th Orion.
