Following our fantastic NEYDL & NESDL campaigns this season, it was great to have the opportunity for a bonus meet, with different age groups including seniors going up against each other in a handicapped meet, with points based on the England Athletics PB awards system.

Conditions were tricky, with a strong and chilly wind making top performances a challenge, but there were still some fine results. Alex Robson-Lamb starred with a 1.45m club record in the U13 high jump to take the win, with a big PB in the hurdles as well. Amber Wright saved her best until last with a 4.94m into a headwind in the long jump, whilst Ben Compton set a new discus PB, also producing a solid shot put. Charlie Makepeace smashed his shot put PB, whilst Fearne Bell scored a new in the 75m hurdles, also with a  strong shot put. Hollie battled the wind in her javelin but still produced a strong performance, and finished 3rd in the hurdles. India Gorvett was 2nd in the hurdles, and is showing a return to form in the high jump with a solid 1.25m. Isla Bell didnt have the best hurdles run, but had 3 good attempts at her high jump PB. Senna Gorvett was 2nd in the hurdles after a poor start, also throwing the shot put where she was just below her best. Well done also to the seniors that competed, including coach NIgel, Alfie with a 6.70m long jump, and Liane in the throws.

It was a busy week of Track and Field across the UK, with our athletes in action in a variety of events. Here is how the weekend unfolded.
 
On Wednesday, three of our juniors took on the NEGP over 800m. Geroge Bryce continued his fantastic season with another huge PB of 2:12.66. Elliot Summers was just outside of his PB, whilst Charlie Dixon set a new PB of 2:47.27. On Saturday, 3 of our athletes arrived at Eton, probably the further south they have ever competed! Sadie Parker was making her first appearance in an international event – competing as an invited guest in the long jump in the U20 international. Competing against athletes an age group above, she acquitted herself superbly and finished 4th, although was not able to hit the distances set in recent weeks. Hannah (U17 Heptathlon) and Luke (U17 Decathlon) started their campaigns in the England Athletics Combined Events Championships. For Hannah, day 1 yielded a series of solid performances, and finished with a strong 200m where she was fastest of all. Sadly Hannah withdrew early on day 2 due to a slight injury concern, but can be proud to have been positioned strongly near the top of the standings up to that point. Luke went through the full range of ups and downs, coming out as top points scorer in his favoured events the long jump, hurdles and also in the high jump where he set a new PB of 1.87m. Alongside this, some events didn’t bring the points haul expected, with the throws a little down on his usual standard. Despite this, Luke was going well in medal contention heading into event number 8 the pole vault. Sadly this was where his competition would come to a competitive end – as he did not clear his opening height. Luke bravely carried on in the Javelin but sadly any chance of the podium was now gone – a tough weekend.
 
On Sunday, there were some fantastic performances from our juniors at the Tartan Games at Gateshead. Aman was just outside her PB in both the 75m hurdles and long jump with some strong performances. Amber Wright went in the girls high jump, with a best of 1.45m for 2nd place. It was a fine day for Hollie-Anne Sudder, starting with a solid 4.78m in the long jump. She then ran her fastest ever 100m with a windy 12.75m, before setting a big hurdles PB as she dipped until 13s for the first time with a new PB. Izabela was also competing in 3 events, setting an equal PB in the high jump, and was just outside her PB in the hurdles and long jump. A note also to Alfie Ward, a previous Team Blyth junior and now a senior – he took part in the Scottish National Champs Long Jump on Sunday, jumping his equal longest jump ever of 6.85m(w) in a competition of the highest standard.