ASHFORD AC women roared into fourth place in the Southern Women’s League with a resounding victory in their Division 1 match at Guildford.
They finished 13 points clear of Sutton and are now just five adrift of Southampton AC who are one of the competing clubs in the final match at Bromley on September 4.
That promised to be a thrilling finale to the 2010 campaign with Ashford delighted to be in the top four after targeting a mid-table place after promotion last season.
Another big achievement is an invitation for Ashford to compete in the UK League qualifier match at Abingdon on September 18 and a full squad will be needed to be competitive in this top match.
Pole vaulters Kara Gibbs and Emmeline Rendell set the tone for Ashford success at Guildford with a brace of victories vaulting 3m and 2.60m respectively.
Hannah Hogben and Amber Regardsoe were outstanding in the field events both second in the hammer with 39.83m and 22.50m and Hannah was joined by Sarah Snare in the discus for second in the A clash and a B string victory both nearing the 30m mark.
There was another fine win and second in the triple jump by Rachel Hanagan and Lucy Holmes recording 10.97 and 9.09m respectively and they were also part of the victorious 4x100m relay squad with Sam Beckett and Eleanor Campbell.
Kate Austen, Amanda Jukes, Lesley Hall and Helen Wheeler (battling the flu) piled on more valuable match points in the middle distance races. Deborah Martin continued her high jump success along with Katie Hamilton both clearing 1.50m for second in the A string and a B string win.
As the season draws to a close the girls can feel proud of their excellent achievements over the last two years. This is basically a young new team reminiscent of the quality teams the club have boasted in years gone by with excellent team spirit.
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From Derek Laws
Ashford senior ladies team contested the second match of the Southern Womans League division 1 at Sutton last weekend.
Being right at the start of the exam period and with other athletes not yet returned from university only twelve athletes were available to contest the 34 events A & B strings.
The team gave their all being rewarded with an excellent 2nd place to Divisional leaders Herne Hill Harriers. This held the ladies in 5th overall in the division, well above the top half target for the year.
The Hanagan sisters Rachel and Laura continued their impressive form claiming a 1st, four 2nds and three 3rds between them. Rachel clocked 59.6 for 2nd in the 400m, the event she hopes to be selected to run at the English Schools championships in Birmingham in July. Laura jumped 10.13m in triple jumped for 2nd and also her chosen event at English Schools. Kara Gibbs & Emmeline Rendel set a good standard in the jumps, both returning 2nds in pole vault with 2.90 & 2.80 respectively.
Kara went on for two fine wins in B string high jump and 100m hurdles whilst Emmeline teamed up with Kim Smith in the 200m for more valuable points. The clubs only dedicated 400m hurdler Sam Beckett took comand in her event winning in 72.00 and also finished 2nd B string 100m.
Kate Austen, Lesley Hall and Candy Hawkins covered both strings of 800m, 1500m and 3000m between them, a tiring task in such sweltering conditions.
Newcomer Deborah Martin continued to shine in the High Jump with a winning jump of 1.55m. She too already has achieved the English Schools qualifying height.
Lizzy Yarnold returned to the team this year to anchor the throws and was part of an exciting shot putt competition where she eventually finished 2nd after two equal count back throws of 11.90m and 11.76m. Janine Brown, unable to run due to an injury collected in her recent marathon, showed her team spirit by turning out to help with the throws. These points turned out to be invaluable as third placed team Luton finished just half a point behind the Ashford team.
The third match will take place at Crawley on June 26 when it is hoped the team will be back to full strength.
The club offers free transport to all it’s League meetings family and friends are always welcome to travel with the team to support them on the day.
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