Laser-run tester for Bath dozen
Twelve members of Bath Pentathlon Club took part in the Southern Laser-run Championships at Leweston School last Sunday. This was a qualifier for the Laserrun World Champs, which are being held in Dublin this September. The oldest member to take part was shooting coach Philip Hobbs, who led the way with a fine bronze in the 60+ age group, setting an example for the youngsters to follow. The under-13 girls proved its usual strong event, with lots of youngsters wanting to give the relatively new sport a go. Lottie Silverton and Amelia Cattanach shot well and worked hard to come away with 13th and 17th respectively. It was the same story in the U13 boys with Harvey Parker and Thomas Johnson both giving it their best but failing to qualify this time. In the U15 Girls, Charlotte Barr, just returning to fitness, was a very credible ninth, shooting well but fading in the heat towards the end of the race. In the equivalent race for the boys, Louis Donson, was 13th. Louise Cattanach competed in a fiercely contested U17 girls’ race and was holding her position in fourth before her penultimate shoot, when she moved into third after getting all five lights in quick succession. In the final 400m, she gained on the leaders and claimed the silver medal. U17 boys Matt and Luke Bradley had already qualified for the World Championships with their home country South Africa, so took this as an easy practice run with Matt finishing in fifth and Luke eighth. Club newcomer Adam Graham came ninth in his first ever competition. Finally in the U19 age group, Sarah Wilson took gold in the girls’ race and Sam Balcker, in only his second event for the club, claimed a brilliant silver. Next up is the Laser-run School Games, which takes place at Loughborough, at the end of August, with Harvey Parker, Lottie Silverton and Louise Cattanach having qualified.