Throwers can earn Nene Valley big points in British League opener

NENE Valley Harriers are hoping for maximum points from their throwers to help them off to a good start in Sunday’s British League Division Four opener at Derby.

The city club found it hard going in their debut season at this level last year but have improved an already quality throws section with the addition of Jonathan Edwards and Martintinkler as well as strengthening their jumps, which was one of their weak areas last year.

Managertim Needham said: “In the throws we potentially have four A and B-string winners.

“Some of the other teams also have good throwers but we could see two Nene Valley shot putters going beyond 14m for the first time ever with Ken Baker and Martintinkler in good form.”

Lithuanian acetomas Saunorious boasted a 100 per cent record in the javelin in last year’s British League campaign and teams up with Sam Lawrence, who should get close to 50m despite a recent groin injury.

Simon Achurch is injured but with Edwards, Tinkler and former Derby athlete Andy Wain - who came out of retirement to win the B-string hammer in the final match at the same venue of last year - available he will hardly be missed.

Sam Richards and Laurie Pirie will add more quality to the jumps section, who struggled last year when multi-eventer Joe EvlingWhite was injured.

The sprints are causing the biggest headache for Needham with a number of injuries but club record-holder Kev Ellis will make his first appearance of the year.

Needham added: “I think it will be a tight division again and Bristol look the ones to beat but hopefully we’ll get off to a solid start on Sunday.” Provisional line-up 100m - Kev Ellis, Jordan Wilson. 200m - Scott Parsons, Jordan Wilson. 400m - Darrellon Holding, Dave Brown. 800m - Lloyd Kempson, Aaron Shepherd. 1500m - Edgars Sumskis, Chris Wright. 5000m - James Vernau, John Herbert. 110m hurdles - Sean Reidy, Adam Fidgett. 400m hurdles - Sean Reidy, Ben Jones. 3000m steeplechase - Tom Rodgers, Josh Lunn. High jump - Laurie Pirie, Tomas Saunorious. Pole Vault - Carl Titman, Adam Fidgett. Long jump - Sam Richards, Joe EvlingWhite. Triple jump - Joe Evling-white, Laurie Pirie. Shot - Ken Baker, Martin Tinkler. Discus - Jonathan Edwards, Martin Tinkler. Hammer - Jonathan Edwards, Andy Wain. Javelin - Tomas Saunorious, Sam Lawrence. Relays - TBC.

STAMFORD ace Aaron Scott won the Woodbridge 10k for the third successive year on Sunday.

The England international won by almost three minutes in 31.37, six seconds slower than he ran 12 months ago.

Scott, who also won in 2010 in 31.44, had gone agonisingly close to breaking his 5000m personal best (PB) at the British Milers’ Club (BMC) Meeting in Manchester on Saturday, his time of 14.30.91 falling just shy of his 14.30.74 best.

He finished sixth in the B race with Hampton athlete Neil Addison eighth in the C race in 15.06.45.

Peterborough Athletic Club’s Alexander Bevan was also in BMC action, finishing fifth in the 800m E race at Milton Keynes in a PB of 2.23.27.