Saturday 9 September saw the Southern Inter counties U15 and U20 match featuring 16 counties compete at Horspath, Oxford. Four Harrier ladies competed for their home county as their last Track and Field outing in what has been a busy season.

After a two hour delay due to a serious injury in warm up, the under 15 girls pole vault competition finally got underway. Olivia Simon, who only received the call up a week ago and still an U13 athlete was representing Essex for the first time did well to clear 2.40m in wet and blustery conditions, finishing in a creditable sixth place and gaining valuable experience.

Eliza Betts, also U15, took part in the Long Jump, and in her debut for Suffolk achieved a 9^th place finish and a new PB with a jump of 4.74m, showing a marked improvement in her jumping technique. Despite an early morning start and facing stiff competition from girls who were jumping over 5m, Eliza took it all in her considerable stride and enjoyed the high intensity competition. The experience will prove invaluable to her continuing development.

Rebecca Jeggo, competing in her last 200m of the season, executed the race well in cold and wet conditions.  Coming off the bend in second place to the Oxfordshire athlete, she accelerated down the home straight to cheers from her Essex team mates and took the inter counties title in a season’s best time of 24.77.  This was a great way to end her season.

Philippa Davenall also competed for Essex as an U20, finishing 7^th in the Shot with 10.02m and 2^nd in the Hammer with a throw of 50.53m, ending a long season which was blighted by injury.