Young athletes shine on return to league
In Chichester Runners’ first National Junior league match for nearly three years, a squad of 15 of under-13s and under-15s gave a great account of themselves at Winchester, finishing third out of the six clubs despite having one of the smallest teams.
A combined Bournemouth & New Forest squad beat Woking, Chichester, Camberley, Holland Sports and Havant. Virtually all of Chichester’s team were having their first taste of National League competition and more than held their own in experienced fields.
In the under-13s Harry Dunne and Harry Cruttenden formed a good partnership in the 800m while Max Gayle tackled the 1200m. The trio excelled in tackling new events.
Gayle and Cruttenden scored near maximum points in the hurdles while Dunne was a winning B string in partnering new member Alfie Southgate whose 7.48m shot put was the performance of the day. Thomas Kelson spearheaded the sprints while Dunne and Gayle scored good points in high jump and javelin.
Four under-13 girls also tackled a range of events, many with surprising success. Elodie Hill and Daisy Hillyer ran well in the 1200m while Iona Sherwood opted for the shorter 800m.
Sprinter Anna Wyatt joined Hillyer in the hurdles
while Sherwood tackled the shot and Hill teamed up with Hillyer in the long jump.
With just enough under-15 boys for a relay team, one of the closest finishes of the day saw Monty Hill edge out Ben Ward in the 800m with both runners rewarded
with PBS.
Multi eventer Sam Wyatt teamed up with Ward in the hurdles and gained one of the club’s few combined maximum points scores of the day.
Stanley Wilkes was involved in a competitive 1500m and showed versatility with a good 200m while Hill showed good speed over 300m.
Wyatt gained good points in long jump and discus while Ward had a new PB best in the high jump. In the 4x300m Hill, Wilkes, Ward and Wyatt were edged out only by the
Camberley anchor leg.
Chichester could only call on two under 15 girls but sprinter Tilly Wyatt was on good form in the 100 and 200m and hurdles and Anya Dickinson fared well in 300m, 800m and the long jump.