Senior League Match 4 - Quibell Park Scunthorpe - Saturday 31st July 2010

Mission accomplished for Scunthorpe Athletes

Press Report by Matt Hammond

Scunthorpe and district athletes went into the final match of the Northern division 2 knowing that a victory on home turf would guarantee survival. With this in mind team manager Gav MANN put out his biggest squad of 34 athletes in the 4 match league. It was a case of all hands to the pumps to make sure the team could try and cover every single event. The local crowd saw a team of under 17’s, under 20’s, senior and veterans from both the track and field and road running sections come together for a huge team effort to try and beat local rivals Hull and Sheffield in order to preserve their league status. The track events couldn’t have got off to a better start when Dan HUGHES put in a great performance in the 400m Hurdles when he powered past the Hull competitor when he stumbled on the top bend to win in a new personal best.

It was to be a day when athletes not only won good points but set personal bests.  The first field event saw Joe GIBSON carry on with his progression since his return to the sport when he first set a personal best in the hammer, then he went one better beating another of his coaches club records when he threw 39.93 in the discus.  This was matched by Edel MEAGER who pushed her club discus record even further with a throw of 36.57m she was supported by young thrower Elicia BONES who set a new best when she came 3rd in the B event. Another young athlete pushing her boundaries was Georgina O’ CONNOR who is edging towards the 5 metre barrier in the Long Jump one centimetre at a time when she improved her best from 4.97 to 4.98m.  The men’s Long Jump also produced a best when Josh BONES who had set a best in the triple Jump the previous week matched that by setting a new best of 6.49m in the Long Jump.

The team was to get a massive boost when during the afternoon former team manager Stuart FROW who is still recovering from a serious illness put in a welcome appearance at the track and perhaps his presence was the spur the Scunthorpe athletes needed.  None more than Lewis STONES.  Lewis has been running 3000m, recently after his bid to go under 4.30 in the 1500m had stalled but perhaps the sight of former coach Stuart was all that was needed when he smashed through his personal barrier running 4.26.5 mins

It was also to be a day of brave runs by athletes carrying injuries.  Rachel FISK has maybe been the athlete of the league for Scunthorpe competing up to 7 events in some matches sent a chill through the team when she appeared to pull up in her first event the 800m and had to hobble in down the home straight.  But as always after a bit of treatment she gritted teeth and returned for the 400m which she won in a season best before running a leg in the 4 x 400m relay.  Obviously, her idea of a quiet afternoon when injured was to only run 3 events.  Another athlete putting over 12 months of injury behind him was club physio Steve BORRILL who made his first appearance of the year on the track to run in the 400m as well as earn valuable points in the Pole Vault. Then Matthew SHAW who had decided not to compete after spraining his ankle during the week just couldn’t help doing his bit for the team. When after icing his ankle and strapping it up showed his immense talent when he literally hurdles on one foot to win the B string 110m Hurdles.

There was also to be the first appearance of Jo WALER for the club, Jo who is better known as a tri athlete and road runner ran an excellent 3000m to finish in second place. Hopefully the club will see more of her next season.

During the afternoon it was to be Scunthorpe and Hull pushing away from the rest of the field with both desperate to win the match in order to guarantee survival. But they needn’t have worried as Sheffield couldn’t match their determination and effort and eventually trailed in last. But it was still to be a battle for the victory which could have gone either way until Scunthorpe pressed home their dominance by winning both of the 4 x 100m relays which was enough to see them win by 11.5 points 

After the match a happy but very drained team manger Gav MANN said  “I wish to congratulate all the Scunthorpe Senior team after winning our final match at home.  This now confirms that we will be competing again in Division 2EC next season.  Doncaster and City of Sheffield were relegated.”

He went on to say “It’s been a long hard season but everyone involved with in the team have been fantastic, all performing to the best of their abilities and setting lots of personal and seasonal best performances and smashing Club records on the way.  But none of this would have been possible without the help and support of all our officials, helpers, coaches and supporters who turn up at each match.   I speak for all of the team when I say THANK YOU!”.

With one eye on the future Gav then sent out a challenge to the team ‘After consolation this year, the plan is now to aim for the championship and yet another promotion next season’

Match result