Owing to the cancellation of the scheduled Match 1 at Sutcliffe Park, Match 2 became the first fixture of the season.
A slow start, but eventually an all round brilliant performance by all who took part.
Our meeting kicked off with the 200m races and discus, with long jump scheduled to start a bit later. Former Team Manager and multi-tasker Wole Odele competed in all three: stepping down the age groups for a creditable 2nd in the M35 200 A-string; 1st place in the M50 long jump, and 5th place in the M35 discus.
Tim Carter, also stepping down the age groups, ran a great race to claim 2nd in the M35 200 B race.
Paris Hunt, another multi-tasker, placed 3rd in the M50 discus, and 5th in the M35 long jump.
It was great to see Peter Hawney back in the team. Peter had to miss all of last season for personal reasons. But, despite carrying an injury to his throwing hand, still managed to claim 1st place in the M60 discus competition.
Doug Lucas, who announced his retirement at the start of the summer, thankfully changed his mind. He was another to step down an age group, and stormed to a brilliant win in the M50 200. I guess he found gardening too boring.
Next on the track was the 1500m race series.
Emphatic wins for both Andrew Whelan (M35 A-string) and Dom Fiore (M35 B-string). Mark Ashby finished a creditable 2nd in the M50 race, well clear of the third placed athlete. This was matched by Alan Black’s 2nd place in the M60 race.
With a “ton” of points in the bag, we just had to get the baton round safely in the 4 x 100m relay, last event of the day. Relay captain Wole marshalled his troops well. He got us off to a flyer, handing over to Tim on second leg. Tim kept us in the hunt, with a safe handover to Paris, who ran a brilliant 3rd leg to make up ground, and hand the baton to Doug level with Bromley Veterans. It was close until the last 50m, where Doug powered away to finish the day with another emphatic win.
Ashford is one of the long journeys we have to make, so it was good to come back with a win. So, great job by the boys; a great start. But we have to keep the momentum; there are five remaining fixtures, with Match 1 due to be rescheduled. I would also like to give thanks to our travelling officials: time keepers Barry Ferguson and Dave Kitcher.
Video below courtesy of Tonbridge AC, shows a recording of the women and men’s 4x100m relay races for Divisions 1 & 2. Men’s Division 2 race starts at about 4:50