Only way is up as athletes celebrate Southern League promotion

Medway & Maidstone AC are celebrating automatic promotion after their fourth win from five fixtures in the Southern Athletics League.

Decathlete Martin Brockman was again the star of the show at Medway Park on Saturday, gaining 37 points from seven field and two track events.

Brockman was also part of the winning 4x400 relay with Andrejs Safars, George Clements and George Blake.

Safars won the 800m A, 400m B and 110m hurdles B along with second in the hammer A.

Joe Thurgood won the pole vault A, high jump A and long jump B. Under-20 Sonny Nash threw a fine 50.54m for javelin A victory, Stuart Earl won the shot B and was second in the discus B with everpresent over- 60 Clive Thompson second in the hammer B. Ben Tyler produced a great kick to win the 5,000m in an exciting finish while Twelde Menges ran a personal best to win the 5,000m B before securing 2,000m steeplechase A success an hour later – Mark Wilkins completed the double with victory in the 2,000m steeplechase B.

Under-20 Cameron Pyas won a close 1,500m A with under-17 Simon Hobdom taking the B race.

Sprints saw great racing in strong opposition from Rory Kuypers, backed by Dan Gill and George Clements.

Under-17 George Blake competed for the team for the first time to finish second in the 400m and third in the 400m hurdles while Marley Godden returned second in the 800m B.

For the women, Ellie Turner won the 100m B with Imogen Munday’s PB of 26.1 taking the 200m B while Mo Fazakerley won the 2,000m steeplechase B.

There was relay success at 4x100m and 4x400m while Ashleigh West and Jade Oni claimed first places in the A and B high jump and long jump.

FM4472404, FM4472366, FM4472390 Clive Thompson builds up for a hammer throw while, inset top, winner in the jumps Jade Oni takes part in the shot. Inset right, Ellie Giles up and running in the sprints

Pictures: Steve Crispe FM4472378 Buy these pictures from kentonline.co.uk Martin Brockman was the standout performer as M&M ensured promotion with their fourth win from five fixtures

Pictures: Steve Crispe FM4472381 Buy these pictures from kentonline.co.uk Joe Thurgood lands in the long jump

FM4472397 Ellie Turner sprinted to 100m B glory at Medway Park