Young Athletes Development League Preston, 22 April 2017
The Harriers under 13s & under 15s team competed in their first league fixture at home at UCLAN Sports Arena. Harriers met their arch rivals Sale who beat Harriers to the title last year. Unfortunately Harriers came out second best again finishing just behind them.
14-year-old Liam Blackwell showed his versatility by winning the under 15 boys high jump with a pb of 1.55m and he followed that with a clocking of 2.06.7 in the 800m in the A race. Other winners in the under 15 boys’ competitions were Harry Burrow in the 80m Hurdles ‘A’ race in 14.0sec and Thomas Durney in the 1500m ‘B’ race in 4.44.3. Long jumpers Will Whiteside and Ethan Hallas both won the ‘A’ and ‘B’ with marks of 5.16m and 4.92m respectively. David Homer won the ‘B’ shot with 9.60m and James Lupton in the ‘B’ hammer with 29.09.
In the under 15 girls Darcey Lonsdale and Macy Noblett won the ‘A’ 1500m(2.21.1) and ‘B’ hammer (22.02m) respectively. The 4 x 300m quartet of Alissa Darbyshire, Georgie Chesworth, Lela Bendris and Darcy Lonsdale won a very close race in 2.57.6.
The under 13 boys’ events had 3 winners. Hayden Middleton and Daniel Shuttleworth won the ‘A’ and ‘B’ 75m Hurdles in 13.4s and 13.8s respectively. James Ince won the ‘A’ Long jump competition with 4.66m. Imogen Blackwell and Evie Noblett were the only under 13 girls to win an event, with 2.28.8 in the ‘A’ 800m and 7.20m in the ‘B’ Shot respectively.
Harriers are on track to make the National Final again if they continue to finish second or better in the 3 remaining fixtures.
MATCH RESULTS Premier 1 League 1 Sale 626.5 points, 2 Preston Harriers 507.5, 3 Leeds 466, 4 West Cheshire 456, 5 Gateshead 376, 6 Liverpool 370.