The Harriers took a small team to the final meeting of the Midland Senior Track and Field league at Tamworth. With relegation to Division Four already confirmed, there was no pressure to obtain league points and many Kettering athletes opted to reduce or vary the events they competed in.
The one exception to this was men's team manager Matt Peleszok, who filled his afternoon with six disciplines, garnering a total of 25 points in the process. His efforts ensured that KTH avoided the wooden spoon on the day, as they finished 16 ahead of bottom club Halesowen. Matt's best position was second in the discus.
There were two A-string winners for Kettering. Jamie Dean confirmed his dominance of the 110m Hurdles, winning for the third time in four meetings. His smooth hurdling brought him a season's best of 17.1.
Jonny Goringe produced a strong surge over the last half-lap to take the 800m, ending the unbeaten record of Coventry's Paul Bisceglio. In his first race of the season over the distance, he dipped below two minutes for a lifetime best.
In the sprints, Yannick Phippen secured a good runners-up double, behind Tamworth's Zambian athlete Eldridge Phiri, whilst Ash McClintock took the B 100m and came a close third in the A 400m, equalling his PB of 50.9.
Highlights from a very depleted women's squad included a PB for Niamh Bailey in the triple jump and third place for Louise Granger in the discus.
The meeting was won by Coventry Godiva, who secured promotion along with Cannock and Stafford; these are both clubs with vastly greater resources than KTH.
So, the Harriers will have to re-group next season, when they will renew acquaintances with Corby AC, who were promoted after a great win in their final fixture. We offer them our congratulations.