Team Result.

Colchester Harriers senior team, were transformed from their previous SAL encounter at Battersea Park which saw them finish last. On this occasion they romped to victory at Milton Keynes to see off high flying Bedford and County AC, along with the hosts Marshall Milton Keynes and Walton AC.

Multi talented, and vastly experienced, Nicola Martell – Smith was the star of the show for the strengthened Harriers squad. Her points haul produced overall wins in the 100m Hurdles [16.2 sec] and High Jump along with B string Shot and 400m Hurdles wins. On the male side Matt Rose was in good form, with wins in the 110m Hurdles [15.9] Triple Jump and 400 m Hurdles along with runners up spot in the High Jump.

For the sprints section Kelly Sutton gained first in the 100m with 12.4 sec. In the mens equivalent Callum McKay finished 2nd with 11.1 sec, with Connor Oliver taking the B with the same time. In the 200m Connor was 2nd with Charlie Dobson winning the B race. Heather Rose finished runner up in her race, as well as replicating the placing in the 400m Hurdles.

In the 400 metres, Paul Clifford was runner up. To add to a win in the B 400 Hurdles, with 15 year old Jed Asemota taking the B flat 400 run, and for the women Jessica Francis eased to a second string win over the same distance.

In addition to the individual races the Mens and Womens teams won the 4 x 400m relays, with the men also winning the 4 x 100, and the women finishing runners up.

The consistency of the throwers again achieved a good points tally. Jordan Fester led the way with a personal best, and a win in the Javelin with 45.19m, ably supported by Tom Mitchell, who won the B competition with 44.94m. In the Heavy throws Veteran Rob Earle gained a double win in the Shot and Discus, in addition to the B string runners up spot in the Hammer. James Hamblin threw 56.66m in the high standard Hammer competition for second place, along with a B win in the Shot.

Catherine Holdsworth again proved to be consistent with her throwing performances, achieving a win in the Javelin [32.23m] along with runner spots in the Hammer and Shot. The returning Kathryn Hart picked up good points in the Discus with a throw of 29.43m.

In the middle distance races Chris Sellens was third in the 3,000m. Angela Isherwood and Samantha Hart gained personal bests in the 5000m, and Jake Young picked up valuable points in the 800 and 1500metres. Under 17 Ben Halls, making his debut for senior team, also picked up valuable points in the 800 and 3000 steeplechase despite hitting one of the hurdles in the steeplechase

Other notable performances were: Millie Belbin PB Pole Vault [2.00m] Helen Bloomfield 1st B 800 metres. Courtney Bland PB Long Jump [4.69m]

Harriers now go into the final match at Tonbridge on the 20th August, knowing that a high scoring win is required to give them the best chance of avoiding relegation to Division two. With some notable additions to the team the season is still very much alive.