Downham Market Ryston Runners women almost in Eastern Masters final
Due to restrictions of track availability at Peterborough, Ryston Runners AC’s third match of the 2019 Eastern Masters T&F Series took place last Monday.
The women, with another clear victory, have pretty much secured their place in September’s final, but the men still have a battle on their hands.
Despite a phenomenal effort by the team they are in third place in the Northern Division after a full turnout and some blinding performances by the men of Corby AC tipped the balance in their favour.
Ryston have a home match on July 31 and hope to regain an automatic finals place.
As ever, top teamwork was the key to Ryston’s success, with team manager Helen Reed being rewarded with a top response from all athletes; many, as usual, taking on unfamiliar events to ensure maximum points potential.
A prime example of this was Malcolm Tuff (M50) who, having secured second place in the familiar territory of the 1500m, then tackled the shot putt, a situation with which Martin Heeley has become increasingly familiar.
Paul Oakes did his customary top work in the M60 field events, including wins in discus and high jump, and Dan Yellop and Mac Tuncer ensured top points in both track and field events for the M35s. The rest of the team – Tony Savage, Jeff Reed, Ken Bowman, Jamie Bransgrove, Paul Firmage, and Keith Morris – ensure that as many other events as possible were covered and two relay teams were fielded, and falling just short of another 2nd place overall does not truly reflect on their effort.
Marlene Simmonds dominated the W60 field events. Gaye Clarke (W50) and Katy Tuncer (W35) kept Ryston’s name at the top of the score sheet in their age groups, while Linda Marshall (W50) and Rosemary Jackson (W60) took care of several useful track points. Sue Smith made her customary contribution to the tally by covering many W50 age group gaps. Ryston hope Liz Blakie is over her injury problems in time for the next match.
n The West Norfolk AC veteran athletes travelled to the third EMAC meeting at Peterborough.
The women’s team, with only three competitors, still managed fifth on the evening and remain fifth in the series.
The performance of the evening came from Debbie Schwarz in the 1500m, leading from the start to win the W35 category in 5:52. She followed with a win in the 1000m B walk. Meanwhile Katrina Wasteney remains unbeaten in the women’s walk to win the A race in 5:58. Wasteney was also third in the 400m, 4th in the discus and 5th in the shot. Louise Rice completed the results, matching her season’s best of 16.4 in the 100m.
The men’s team battled hard to finish fourth out of seven very competitive teams and currently sit 4th in the series.
In the M35 category, Ben Collison stormed the 1000m walk to finish third (6:08). Matthew Lamb was 4th in the 100m (12.4) and 5th in the triple jump. Neil Watson was 4th in the 1500m (5:13), 5th in the 400m (62.2) and 5th in the high jump (1.45m).
Meanwhile, John Greenhalgh dropped down an age category to assist with the throws, finishing 4th in the discus (16.88m) and 6th in the shot (7.54m).
In the M50 category, Ricky Bailey won the shot with a throw of 7.35m, was second in the high jump (1.25m) and third in the discus (18.93m).
Greenhalgh in the correct age category came 7th in the 1500m (5:47).
Gavin Lane was 3rd in the 1000m B walk and 7th in the 400m (75.1).
Bob Vincent scored the remaining points with 4th in the 100m (14.4) and 4th in the triple jump (7.04m).
In the M60 category Ian Reeve suffered a pulled hamstring in the 100m (5th) which severely restricted his movement in events later in the evening.
Consequently he was third in the high jump, 4th in the discus and 5th in the shot.
Finally, the M35 relay team finished third.
