From Pete Le Rossignol
WITH several regular members of the team missing, the Ashford AC men’s team travelled to Milton Keynes for their third Southern League, Division 1 match.
Adding to the pressure, the coach journey took longer than expected due to road works and accidents en route.
However, the team kept focussed and amused themselves playing games like pass the bottle etc. On arrival, the team of 15 athletes commenced to work together to cover the 34 individual events and 2 relays, knowing also that two of the teams against them, were above them in the league.
The pairing of Jon Ward and Chris Kingsland in the throws was tremendous, with 4 firsts and two second places between them. Ably supported by Chris Blandford and John Rolfe in the javelin, the quartet amassed 36 points out of the team’s total of 92, an exceptional effort.
The team spirit continued throughout the afternoon and pole vaulters Luke Williams and Mick Goodall excelled in a competition where the opposition was potentially far better. Luke clearing a personal best height of 3.40 metres to win the A string and 60 year old Mick taking the B string with a season’s best clearance of 3.30 metres. Luke also went on to take second in the A string 110m hurdles in another pb of 19.5s.
Acting team manager, Matt Hogben, epitomised the team’s commitment by taking part in 6 individual events and the 4 x 400m relay, whilst having to cope with the strength sapping heat.
Sprinters Chris Meakin and Steve Walder gained valuable team points. Chris still returning to form from injury competed in both sprints and the 4 x 100m relay. First year U17 athlete, Steve, gained valuable experience, competing against older athletes, and ran well in the 4 x 100m relay.
Ashley Cochran and Pat Duncan added more points in the 800m and 30 minutes later despite being disappointed with his 800 time, Ashley ran an incredible pb of 52.7s in the 400 metres A string race. Later, Pat also teamed up with Chris Blandford in a gruelling 1500 metres race.
In the 5000 metres Matt Iles endured the heat to gain a valuable point which was priceless when considering the club gained third place by only one point.
In the 3000m steeplechase, Warren U den and Phil Heathfield added a further important points tally with Warren taking another 10 seconds off his pb. Phil had also partnered Matt Hogben in the 400m hurdles.
In the jumps events, Matt Smiley teamed up with the ever busy Matt Hogben, where they managed to gain 9 important points, from the long, high and triple jump.
Both relay squads added more points to enable the team to stay the one point ahead of Enfield and Haringey AC to round off an excellent team effort for a well deserved third place.
MATCH POINTS: Highgate 132 points, Marshall Milton Keynes 128, Ashford 92, Enfield and Haringey 91, Harrow 80.
