British Athletics League - Division 3 - Derby

The R&N men's team travelled to Derby for the final match of the season knowing that they were already relegated but looking for good individual performances in the run-up to the Qualifying Match at Abingdon in September.

Once again the team produced a set of solid performances but were lacking in the top class athletes who can win events at this level. This was particularly evident in the Field events where the club's previous strengths have gradually disappeared as athletes have retired and lack of coaches and continual problems with facilities have diminished the team. On the other hands the track events are showing signs of improvement and improved depth across most events.

The best performance of the day came from Luke Stott who, after a frustrating season with injuries claimed a club record when he clocked 22.16 to take 2nd place in the B string 200 metres. In the Middel distance events Matt Almond & Steve Emery combined to score good points in a pair of very competive races. Emery yet again raced to lifetime bests in both the 800 & 1500 metres, also claiming a couple of notable scalps in the A-string 800m race.

In the 5000m Aussie recruit Christian Stradzala & Stuart Nelson combined well to finish 5th & 4th respectively after Stradazala had worked hard at the head of a small group in the middle of the field.

In te field the most successful event was the High Jump where Andy Reeves finished 4th in A string and Ian Gidley finished 2nd in the B. The busy pair then handled the 110m hurdles as well as another field event each.

Next stop is the Qualifying Match on 15th September in Abingdon by which time the new throwing cage will enable the club's throwers to train and when some other injury victims will hopefully return to action.

Club Results