WEST CHESHIRE Athletic Club are celebrating after retaining their place in Division One of the Northern Track and Field League.

The Ellesmere Port Sports Village outfit, managed by Jenny Manning and Dave McKay, will compete in the region’s top flight for a fourth consecutive campaign after a battling display from a 28-strong squad during the final round at Preston.

Teamwork and sheer determination were hallmarks from a tense final round for the purple-vested squad who delivered when it mattered most.

Track judge Jo Clarke and her daughters, Katie and Issy, drove from a holiday in Pembrokeshire to pocket much-needed points for their club, while ultra-runner Tom Booth arrived by train from Kendal to represent his team.

No fewer than five age group club records were achieved during the memorable day by Great Britain junior international George Hyde, Welsh champion Laura Turley, and dependable veterans Ellie Robinson and Dave McKay.

Under 20 junior, Hyde, won the shot put competition with a throw of 14.56m and finished second in the discus with a new under 20 club record of 34.70m.

Turley powered her way to success with a new over-20 ladies 200m club record time of 24.8 seconds and equalled her 100m personal best of 12.4 seconds for third position.

Robinson achieved a new over-45 women’s 200m club record time of 33.1 seconds and also added valuable points from the 800m and 1500m.

And McKay equalled his over-35 men’s high jump club record clearance of 1-55m for third place in the B competition, as well as celebrating victories in the javelin (52.88m) and hammer (42.80m).

Victor Oyesola secured a memorable double success story from the 100m (11.3) and 200m (22.8), backed up by Katie Clarke who won the 3000m in 11:06.7, and by Emma Howe who nailed a winning throw of 42.85m in the javelin.

Tom Booth won the B 5000m in 17:11.7, and Tony Woodall claimed maximum points from the B 3000m steeplechase with a time of 12:17.2.

Other important members of the West Cheshire squad included Danielle Erskine, Beth and Ellen McMahon, Joy Hickman, Evie Tipping, Debra Erskine, Nicola Gore, Matthew Webb, Andy Parker, Liam Davoren, Joseph Morrison, David Dentith, Mark Davies, Andrew Clague, Ethan Greenland, Craig Smith, Adam Howe, and Alan Littler.

MATCH RESULT: 1 Wakefield 396 points; 2 Preston 393.5; 3 Wigan 385.5; 4 West Cheshire 354; 5 York 336; 6 Sheffield 23.

OVERALL STANDINGS (after four rounds): 1 Wakefield 22 league points (1599 match points); 2 Wigan 15 (1477); 3 West Cheshire 14 (1435.5); 4 York 14 (1358); 5 Preston 13 (1380.5); 6 Sheffield 6 (724.5).

KERRY RILEY, Ellie Robinson, Keely Smith and Clare Mallon secured West Cheshire AC the ladies team prize at the Pie and Peas Five Miles Road Race at Winsford.

Riley clocked 34:51 for second spot in the ladies race, ahead of Robinson (first over-45 lady in 35:23), Smith (38:13), and Mallon (38:51), backed up by Angela Tegg (39:02), Kay Hayes (42:26), Andy Carter (second over-45 veteran and fifth overall in 30:02), Neil Hershaw (third over-50 veteran in 31:55), Steve Hillier (34:49), Ian Gloyne-Phillips (35:10), and David Irving (35:49).

MARK DAVIES of West Cheshire AC posted 27:25 for sixth spot at the latest Deestriders Off Road Grand Prix Race, ahead of Tony Woodall (29:03), Richard Hayes (29:45), Neil Field (33:27), Stuart Thomas (35:00), Dan Watling (36:06), Tony Kennedy (38:41), Brygida Gorecka (56th in 39:00), Mark Povey (40:11), Brian Beattie (44:48), and Dave Brierley (54:16).

FIXTURES this weekend include the Northern Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 Track and Field Championships at Wavertree, Liverpool, on Saturday and Sunday.

FORTHCOMING fixtures include the Capenhurst 5k Road Race on Wednesday, (August 15); the final round of the Cheshire Track and Field League at Eccles on Sunday, September 2; the North West Road Relay Championships at Delamere on September 8; and the Northern Athletics Road Relay Championships at Sportcity, Manchester, on Sunday, September 23.

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Essar Guilden Sutton 10k Road Race being held on Sunday, September 16. Further details can be found at: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/guildensutton10k

As last month, Angela and Andy extend their leads, Ellie and Clare remain clear in second and third, and a single point still separates Andrew, Steve and Peter. See middle of the road running page for more details.

PLEASE HELP!

Volunteers are needed to ensure this year’s Guilden Sutton Six Road Race, being organised by West Cheshire AC, proves a big success on Sunday, 16th September, (11am start).

If you are available to help out please contact Dennis by email at: [email protected]

And if you are a club member who has entered the race or is planning to run the race then please ask someone to help out on your behalf. The 10k is followed by a one mile fun run which can be entered on the day.

Please try to help out because money made from the event will be invested back into the club to subsidise transport costs and competition fees.

KIT PERSON NEEDED

The Club is looking for someone to supervise the sale of club kit on a weekly basis after club training sessions. If you are interested please contact Dennis ASAP.

SIGN UP TO BECOME A CLUB OFFICIAL

Parents and helpers at the club wanting to provide back-up to our graded officials are being asked to support an officials course being hosted at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Sunday, November 18.

Anyone wanting to be a field judge, track judge, timekeeper, or starter should contact Dennis Wall either at track training sessions or by email at: [email protected]

The club needs to strengthen it’s experienced unpaid volunteers and plan for the future if we want to remain in leagues and competitions.

CONGRATULATIONS TO CARYS

Many congratulations to Carys Roberts who sliced three seconds off the under 13 girls 1200m club record with a time of 3 minutes 53.3 seconds during the YDL match at Bebington Oval last weekend.

ROAD RELAYS REMINDER

Two dates for your diaries are the Cheshire and North West Road Relay Championships at Delamere on Saturday, September 8, and the Northern Athletics Road Relay Championships at Sportcity, Manchester, on Sunday, September 23.

Ellie Robinson has kindly agreed to do all club entries and help sort out the teams, and the club will pay the entry fees.

Please look out for an email being sent to all club members who should let Ellie know if they want to take part in both or either of the events.

Please help Ellie by representing the club and supporting the two events.

PHYSIO SUPPORT

Club member Heather McLintock is a qualified physiotherapist and offers substantial discounted prices for West Cheshire AC members on production of their membership card. Heather can be contacted on 01244 381350 or 07885 462487.

SAD NEWS

Respected and experienced athletics official Brian Spriggs has sadly passed away. His funeral will take place at

Altrincham Crematorium, Whitehouse Lane, Dunham Massey, Altrincham, WA14 5RH, on Friday, August 10, at 3pm.

WEEKLY ROUND-UP

This week’s club press report can be found here.

FIXTURES

Saturday and Sunday, July 28 and 29: England Athletics, UK, CAU and AAA Championships, at Sportcity, Manchester.

Saturday, July 28: British & Irish Fell Running Trials, at Llanberis, (12 noon).

Sunday, July 29: Helena Tipping 10k Road Race, at Wrexham (11am).

Tuesday, July 31: Queens Park Quacker 5k Race, at Crewe (7pm),

Wednesday, August 1: Pie & Peas 5 Miles Road Race, at Winsford, (7.30pm).

Wednesday, August 1: Ponderosa Fell Race, (7pm).

Thursday, August 2: Deestriders Off Road Grand Prix Race, Shotton, (7.30pm).

Saturday, August 4: Northern Track & Field League Division One Final Round, at Preston.

WEST CHESHIRE Athletic Club have consolidated their place in the Premier Division next season.

The Ellesmere Port Sports Village-based outfit secured third place overall after the final round of the under 13 and under 15 Youth Development Track and Field League Premier One fixture.

Jack England, Imogen Pughe, Isla Shillington, Grace Scott, Fergus Garland, Callum Stow-Povall, Nathan Broomfield, and Ruby Wisbey all pocketed individual victories for the purple-vested club during the match held at Bebington Oval.

England powered his way to 39.82m for success in the under 15 boys hammer, while Pughe clocked 41.1 seconds for victory in the under 15 girls 300m.

Shillington spun the under 15 girls discus to a winning mark of 25.28m, and Scott hit 27.22m for top marks in the under 15 girls B hammer.

Garland posted a winning time of 13.5 seconds for success in the under 13 boys B 100m, and Stow-Povall clocked 28.4 seconds for victory in the under 13 boys B 200m.

Broomfield rounded the under 13 boys 800m in a winning time of two minutes 26.0 seconds, and Wisbey secured victory in the under 13 girls 70m hurdles with a time of 11.3 seconds.

Important back-up was received from team mates Uzezi Onomerike, George Mann, Jamie Richardson, Isaac Tait, Fraser Campbell, Joseph Hancock, Thomas Duret, Henry Robinson, Michael Maxwell, Ivor Smith, Fatoumatta Bojang, Emma Ashcroft, Stephanie Jones, Georgia Broomfield, Abigail Cartwright, Lucia Pyne, Sophie Grainger, Jodi Bemand, Finn Howard, Luke Parker, Dan Willetts, Louis Tegg, Connor Davies, Milo Halliday, Tom Shillington, Maddi Mercer, Carys Roberts, Martha Willetts, Jessica Lark, Sara Pearson, Aimee Phillips, Ellen Maxwell, and Eva Renshaw.

MATCH RESULT: 1 Preston 588 points; 2 Sale 559.5; 3 Leeds 459.5; 4 Wirral 455.5; 5 West Cheshire 426.5; 6 Harrogate 399.

OVERALL FINAL STANDINGS (after 4 rounds): 1 Preston 24 league points (2380 match points); 2 Sale 20 (2247); 3 West Cheshire 12 (1764); 4 Wirral 7 (1777.5); 5 Leeds 6 (1684); 6 Harrogate 5 (1613.5).

ANGELA TEGG was first lady in a time of 23 minutes 24 seconds at the Ellesmere Port 5k parkrun. Also running were her West Cheshire clubmates Paul Morrison (fourth in 20:33), Rob Freeman (ninth in 22:00), and Rosemary Rogers (50th parkrun for 25:19).

Andrew Clague (fourth in 18:52) was West Cheshire’s first finisher at the Chester parkrun, ahead of team mates Phil Woodley (fifth in a new personal best of 19:18), David Tait (eighth in a new best of 19:44), Mark Gallagher (32nd in 22:08), Tamsin O’Keefe (second lady in 23:20), Debra Bemand (third lady in 24:07), Heather McLintock (seventh lady in 25:13), Iain Bullock (50th parkrun in 26:25), Brian Beattie (27:32), Anne-Marie Tait (30:33), and Neil Carter (41:17).

Tony Woodall (second in 20:41) and Ian Ackroyd (25:31) represented West Cheshire at the Wepre parkrun.

FIXTURES this weekend include England, AAA, and CAU Track and Field Championships at Sport City, Manchester, on Saturday and Sunday, and the Helena Tipping 10k Road Race at Wrexham on Sunday.

FORTHCOMING fixtures include the final round of the Northern Track and Field League at Preston on Saturday, August 4; the North West Road Relay Championships at Delamere on September 8; and the Northern Athletics Road Relay Championships at Sportcity, Manchester, on Sunday, September 23.

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Essar Guilden Sutton 10k Road Race being held on Sunday, September 16. Further details can be found at: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/guildensutton10k

FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found online at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

THIS WEEKEND

Bebington Oval is the venue for this Saturday’s final round of the Youth Development Under 13s and Under 15s Track and Field League, (11am start).

Best wishes to all our club athletes and officials.

DON’T MISS THE NORTHERN CHAMPIONSHIP CLOSING DATE…

Entries close THIS MONDAY (July 23) for the Northern Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 Track and Field Championships being held at Wavertree, Liverpool, on Saturday and Sunday, August 11 and 12. Further details can be found here.

PLEASE HELP!
Volunteers are needed to ensure this year’s Guilden Sutton 10k Road Race, being organised by West Cheshire AC, proves a big success on Sunday, 16th September, (11am start).

If you are available to help out please contact Dennis by email at [email protected]. If you are a club member who has entered the race or is planning to run the race then please ask someone to help out on your behalf. The 10k is followed by a one mile fun run which can be entered on the day.

Please try to help out, because money made from the event will be invested back into the club to subsidise transport costs and competition fees.

KIT PERSON NEEDED

The Club is looking for someone to supervise the sale of club kit on a weekly basis after club training sessions. If you are interested please contact Dennis ASAP.

NEW HIGH JUMP COVER

The Club has bought a new high jump cover which is scheduled to be delivered this Monday morning, enabling the high jump beds to be housed outdoors for easier access for training sessions and competition.

SIGN UP TO BECOME A CLUB COACH OR OFFICIAL

Parents and helpers at the club wanting to provide back-up to our graded coaches and officials are being asked to contact Dennis Wall either at track training sessions or by email.

The club needs to strengthen it’s experienced unpaid volunteers and plan for the future to ensure all members are accommodated at training sessions.

If you want more information about how to become a coach or official please get in touch with Dennis ASAP.

STAYING HEALTHY

Club coaches Tim Durrant and Ian Ackroyd want to raise awareness to all young female club members about assessing their iron levels by having blood tests.

Articles recently written by athlete Bobby Clay about her training and health issues have flagged up warnings and the need for our female athletes aged between 13 and 17 years old to monitor their health. Ian and Tim will provide more details if asked.

PHYSIO SUPPORT

Club member Heather McLintock is a qualified physiotherapist and offers substantial discounted prices for West Cheshire AC members on production of their membership card. Heather can be contacted on 01244 381350 or 07885 462487.

WEEKLY ROUND-UP

This week’s club press report can be found here.

FIXTURES

Saturday, July 21: Youth Development Under 13 and Under 15 Track and Field League Round Four, at Bebington Oval, (11am).

Saturday, July 21: Jewsons Snowdon International Mountain Race, at Llanberis.

Saturday, July 21: North Wales Half Marathon, at Conwy, (11am).

Tuesday, July 24: Trafford AC Throws and Distance Races Open Meeting.

Wednesday, July 25: Wirral Seaside 5k Race, Leasowe Lighthouse (7pm).

Saturday and Sunday, July 28 and 29: England Athletics, UK, CAU and AAA Championships, at Sportcity, Manchester.

Saturday, July 28 OR Sunday, July 29th (tbc): British & Irish Fell Running Trials, at Llanberis, (12 noon)

Sunday, July 29: Helena Tipping 10k Road Race, at Wrexham (11am).

Tuesday, July 31: Queens Park Quacker 5k Race, at Crewe (7pm).

GEORGE HYDE and Emma Howe claimed podium places at the English Schools Track and Field Championships.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club duo produced impressive performances for Cheshire who pocketed eight medals at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium.

Hyde, who represented Great Britain earlier in the month in Hungary at the European Under 18 Championships and has twice won the English Schools title, hit 15.32m for second spot in the Senior Boys shot put at Birmingham.

And Howe, who won the English Schools javelin title last year, celebrated a new under 20 women’s personal best throw of 44.86m for third position in the Senior Girls event.

Other West Cheshire AC members in action at Birmingham included Jack England, Imogen Pughe, Evie Tipping, Stephanie Jones, Christina Broome, and Fatoumatta Bojang.

England, representing Cheshire, hit a new personal best of 41.86m for eighth spot in the Junior Boys hammer, while Pughe, in the white of Merseyside, clocked 41.41 in the Junior Girls 300m final for eighth spot after posting a personal best of 40.98 seconds in her heat.

Tipping, representing Cheshire, hit 48.77m for ninth position in the Intermediate Girls hammer, while team mate Jones achieved 4.86m in the Junior Girls long jump.

Broome, representing Merseyside, hit 10.49m in the Intermediate Girls shot put, and Bojang ran for Cheshire in the Junior Girls 300m, posting 42.11 seconds in her heat.

LAURA TURLEY pocketed a silver medal at the Welsh Senior Track and Field Championships.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club sprinter and Chester University student clocked 55.35 seconds for second spot in the 400m at Cardiff.

Turley won her heat with a time of 56.18 seconds and then finished under three tenths of a second behind Lauren Williams in the final.

HARVEY TEGG, Ruby Wisbey and Fatoumatta Bojang starred for a 89-strong West Cheshire AC squad who celebrated under 11s and men team victories at the Cheshire Track and Field League third round held at Connah’s Quay.

Tegg posted 10:34.3 in the under 17 mens 3k, while Wisbey won the under 13 girls long jump (4.50m) and Bojang posted 13.2 seconds in the under 15 girls 100m.

The team results were:

UNDER 11s: 1 West Cheshire 150 points; 2 Warrington 128; 3 Deeside 126; 4 Menai 80; 5 Maldwyn 62; 6 St Helens Sutton 28.
MEN: 1 West Cheshire 271; 2 Menai 220; 3 Warrington 195; 4 Deeside 178; 5 St Helens Sutton 125; 6 Maldwyn 92; 7 Manchester 7.
LADIES: 1 Warrington 277; 2 Deeside 244; 3 West Cheshire 234; 4 Menai 232; 5 St Helens Sutton 114; 6 Maldwyn 102; 7 Manchester 7.

JON CLARKE pocketed eight medals and smashed eight club records at the British Masters North of England Championships in Sheffield.

The over-60 West Cheshire AC veteran won the long jump (3.29m), triple jump (6.23m), and shot put (6.01m), finished second in the 100m (12.82 seconds), 300m hurdles (2.00.73), and high jump (0.86m), and delivered bronze medal performances in the 400m (2.01.59), and javelin (16.02m), and added a club record in the discus (15.98m).

ANDY PARKER of West Cheshire AC clocked 23.25 seconds to win the Northern Masters over-40 men’s 200m title.

MONDAY is the closing date for the Northern Athletics Under 17s, Under 15s, and Under 13s Track and Field Championships being held at Wavertree, Liverpool, on August 11 and 12. Details can be found here.

FIXTURES this weekend include the final round of the Youth Development Track and Field League for under 13s and under 15s at Bebington Oval on Saturday (11am start).

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Essar Guilden Sutton 10k Road Race being held on Sunday, September 16. Further details can be found here.