Well, what a weekend to remember. Our first trip to Wales with the CYP (Clubs for Young People) and Durham come back with 6 trophies. I think I speak for all when I say it was a good weekend. A good representation from Birtley presented some very good medals and personnel goals. I will try to remember and carry on from YB but if I miss some out it's because my memory is getting old. So here goes: -

Kayleigh Gold Shot put
Jess Gold Shot put
Sophie Gold 800
Paige Gold 1500
Robbie Silver 1500
Paige Silver High Jump
Jonny Silver Javelin
Ade Silver 800
Kate Silver x 3 200, 100, long jump
Girls relay (Kate, Rachael, Paige, Sophie) Silver but very close Gold.

We have to say the weather threatened to spoil it all during the U15 800 boys but it all changed to a very warm and sunny day. We had 2 new track judges that made some very hard decisions in the relays. Step up Mark and Jordan. That red flag was worn out. Next year we are going to have to get Ade some weights. He tried his hardest to carry his opponents around the track but they just got too heavy in the end. Ref. YB's account.
I would like to mention all of our athletes and their performances which were so good that I would be here all night writing about them.

The Durham team as a whole were unbelievable. The performances and speeds were just out of this world. I say it again well done to all.

We also had other athletes competing in events out side of the club. Monique was competing with her cadets and got home not much later than us. Sunday morning!!!.

This leads me into our next page in the weekend's proceedings. The YAL. With depleted numbers we tried and again we showed our true grit. With PB's broken and injured athletes changing events to ensure points. Again the weather held for us, much to Mick's dismay. His determination to test out his new purchases (Aldi's posh umbrellas) nearly came through. Those umbrellas are really something and the tent under the trees was a nice touch.

Our athletes gave a good account of themselves. Jonny in the javelin, Sophie T in the 800, Sophie Forster getting a PB of 4:15.2 in the 1200, after her return from injury. Bethan Oaks running a 1200 straight after completing the Beamish tram run. Paige Howell continuing her returns after illness in a PB of 1.31m for the high jump. This would have won her 1st at the CYP. Steph changing tack due to injury and hoying the Shot and Discus one heck of a distance for a sprinter and chucking the Javelin with as much gusto (who did you think they were?). Robbie was flying again but was not happy with his performance, it looked good to me. Let's not forget the Baardman twins and big sis. To Wales and back in One day and then flat out in all events, good show. I still can not tell one from the other, they came with same hair style to confuse me. I have to mention little Paige a PB of 2:59.0 in the 800, getting quicker and Hannah with a grade 4 in the shot, well done. But as usual it was the same old faithful's that turned up and give it their all. YB and family had a day pass for this one, visiting old friends while on their way home from Wales.

But the day did not finish on a high. I think we were 2nd over all against Tyne Dale but we tried and I think we are now second in the league after losing a 40 points lead before this event. A dampener on the day was the decision to pull the Girls relay team. Our lead leg runner picked up an injury, but who was determined to still race. We had no replacement as all others had gone. The team managed to help her see that they had done a lot that weekend, setting a new PB time of 57s at Wales, plus there are more relays to come. More importantly running on an injury could put her out for the rest of the season and nobody wanted that.

If I have missed out any thing I apologise, but I am getting tired. If you have any additions or personnel accounts of events at either the CYP visit to Wales or YAL please forward them to Sam and he will check and place them on the web.

Signing off VT.