Torrential rain brought an early finish to the second match of this season’s Midland Track and Field League at Solihull. As the men’s 1500m was being completed, a storm of Biblical proportions engulfed the stadium, soon flooding the track. The downpour continued unabated and, with no prospect of it easing off, the decision was taken to abandon the meeting on safety grounds.
Fortunately, sufficient events had been completed for the result to stand, as a depleted Kettering Town Harriers team had battled hard to stand in fourth place in a very closely-fought contest. But it was really hard luck for athletes such as Terry Toseland and Tom Carvell who never made it onto the track, as their events were cancelled.
History was made as, with Andy and Pete away at a family event, there were no Mills brothers in the Harriers team. It is believed this is the first time this has happened for nearly 25 years!
Nonetheless, there were some fine performances on the track by the Kettering men. Jake Waples repeated his first round victory in the 800m, with his trademark surge in a season’s best of 1.59.5. In the B race, Jonathan Goringe, making a rare appearance at the shorter distance, ran away from the field with a huge PB of 2.01.8.
Jamie Dean was in superb form over 110m hurdles, moving smoothly ahead to record victory in a new best of 16.8. Somewhat less expected was Yannick Phippen’s excellent win in the B 400m hurdles, secured with a fine finish.
Also benefitting from strong form over the home straight was Gemma Elliott, who narrowly won the B 200m. There were no other wins for the ladies but many athletes gained valuable points by taking part in “less preferred” events.
Nowhere was this more true than in the 3000m Steeplechase where high jumper Matt Wright and field official Peter Goringe completed the course in what must have been two of the slowest times ever recorded, but together gained more points than any of the other clubs!
With Kettering finishing just four points ahead of fifth placed Wolverhampton, it was a day when everyone could say that they had done their bit for the Harriers.
In an incredibly tight league, KTH now find themselves in third place in the table, just one match point off the promotion places, but only two clear of a relegation spot. Much will depend on getting a strong team out for our remaining fixtures on July 3rd and August 1st.