Young Athletes League - Gateshead - 22 July 2007

This was going to be another one of those days where I wouldn’t have time for a cuppa!! Football tournament at Durham from 9:30, and Adrian was to be at Gateshead for 11:00….how do you work that one out???? So we all went down to Maiden Castle for the tournament, in both cars so one of us would be able to bring Adrian back for his competition.

The football was great, we didn’t get past the group stages, but it was fast and furious stuff. Anyway as we didn’t get through the round it meant we got back in time to miss Ades’ high jump (new PB for him, jumping the height of his bottom lip!!) We did however arrive just in time to see them line up for the 800 girlies race. Now I am doing this from memory, so no promise of the accuracy, but I believe Sophie Forster won and, was it Rachel supporting her? They say the timekeeper robbed her of a few seconds as well!! Next was Ades race, he won comfortably, but with a disappointing time.

Kate Murphy won her race convincingly, can’t remember if it was the 200 or the 100 though.

Steph played her part whilst trying to avoid races until her legs fully recover, and did the throwing events, showing what a team player she is. She also ran in the under 15 girlie relay.

Mark having played an hours football, did the long jump and 400m. Adam Hogarth was there also, doing the hurdles with Alex Robson. He was also playing musical vests with mark and Steph, as the three of them shared two vests (Mark arrived in football strip)

Sophie Taylor had another great run in the 1200 this time. She missed out on a grade 1 by 0.8 seconds. She certainly has the ability to do that, if she had been wearing her spikes she would have done, you could see her feet slipping from behind when she ran past. Paige Howell supported Sophie as the second runner in that race. also did the high jump I believe.

I saw Monique running the 3000m in the under 17 race.

I am struggling now…whom else did I see??? Oh yes, Jess Wilson was throwing, Sophie Robinson relay, and 300? Holly Baardman did hurdles.

Guess what, the lads knocked 1.5 seconds off their best time in the relay, in a last ditched effort to beat the lasses. Unfortunately the lasses did a PB as well, and still beat the lads by 2 seconds. (sigh)

Run of the day was given to Robbie Lorraine, who again unchallenged managed 4:57 for the 1500m and that won him the athlete of the match award. That means we have four of them this year with Our Sophe, Kate Murphy, Ade and Robbie, well done the lot of you!

I did have a bit of banter with Mandy Watt (I saw Amanda run a good second to Fiona Higgins in the 800) She thought that it was harder to be a mam than a dad!! Poor soul we put her right though, having a poll in the terraces, it was almost unanimous, the men winning 63 to 4 votes. Sorry Mandy you women have it cushy. Any disagreements should be put on a post card and sent to ………….

I didn’t see Tracy this weekend, probably getting kitted out in her bridesmaids dress I would think ….Hiya Trace!!

Anyway it generally was a dry day, and after leaving the house at 9:00 we arrived back home and put the kettle on at 4:55, what a long day…You know, it is hard to be a dad.

The club has actually won promotion to the next division, so well done to all the athletes who have competed this season, and thanks to all the coaches and parents who have turned up and helped. Give yourselves a pat on the back.

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