Consistent Southampton Mid-Table After Close Tussle at SAL

  Southampton AC’s Southern Athletics League team find themselves in mid-table after their second fixture of the five match Premier series at Bracknell on Sunday 21st May. This was a potentially difficult encounter due to clashes with road race commitments and the Loughborough International invitation meeting. However, showing strength in depth the team performed creditably with the club's youngsters well to the fore. Opening proceedings in the 400 metres hurdles was Owen Lawrence, fighting off a heavy cold to win the A string in 56.5 seconds. Out in the field, it was a triple pronged effort for the Callaway family. First Up, Matthew placed second in the men's discus with a personal best throw 40.87m. Sister Samantha went one better in her first year as an Under 17, winning her category with a personal best 39.87m. Matt and Sam's Dad Dave, a former Great Britain Shot Put international and now coach, rolled back the years to place 2nd in 12.02 metres with a surprise return from retirement. Things were hotting up on the track. Dan Offiah swept to victory with a 23.31 sec PB (Personal Best) in the B 200 metres to back up his PB equalling 11.12 in the 100 metres. Under 17 Hannah Childs on her Senior debut secured 2nd place in the B 200 metres her PB 25.82 sec following from an earlier 12.81 sec 100 metres lifetime best Hannah also contributed to both relays. Back in the field, jumpers sprang to the fore. International Heptathlete Amaya Scott had an excellent day, winning the A High Jump (1.65m) and Long Jump with 5.20m. Fellow Under 17 Hannah Childs topped off a fine day with a B win and personal best 5.06m. Laura Edwards was by some distance the best female pole vaulter with a dominant Personal Best 3.65m win. Elsewhere in the throws, Sam Callaway backed up her Discus victory with 2nd in the Shot (10.37m) while another club mainstay, Sarah Ellis , showed she has put an injury blighted few years behind her with the runner-up spot in the Javelin (42.06m). Not to be outdone, Matt Watson on a welcome return from injury won the High Jump with 2.00 metres and also clinched the Triple Jump with 13.40 metres. Multi-talented Matt also had a clear win in the Javelin with a seasons best 45.61 metres. Jumping partner, club stalwart Thomas Rady made it a triple jump double with 11.70m in winning the B string, also gaining runners up spots in a tight long jump (5.78m) and 110m hurdles in a seasons best 17.49 sec. Pole vaulters Sam Bass-Cooper (4.50m) and Kieran Apps (3.85m) soared to a fine double win. As so often, the distance runners were the backbone of the team. Quadruple wins for 1500 metres runners Ellie Monks (4:49.01 min) and Rachel Ayerst (4:59.41 min), Bryher Bowness (18:15.51 min) and Claire McErlean (19:11.64 min) cemented the club's growing reputation as a distance running force. The men's distance squad were even more dominant. Under 17 James Jerram blasted to a  1:58.51 min 800 metres personal best to win the B string. Alex Wall-Clarke, returned after a runners-up spot in the 800m A string (2:00.99 min) to run away with the A 1500m (4:09.7 min); being backed up by Max Costley (4:11.7 min) for a metric mile double. In the longest men's distance race, the 3000m, National cross-country champion Zak Mahamed won by a distance (8:49.30 min) from club mate Niall Holt (8:53.78 min) making a welcome return from injury. Southampton look forward to the next match at Linford Christie Stadium, West London on 17th June full of confidence. Sara MacDonald-Gray Match Result

1. Bracknell AC 217
2. Blackheath & Bromley 196
3. Southampton AC 183
4. Herts Phoenix 168