Fresh from his victory over 10km in the United States last week, Scott Overall continued his winning form by claiming victory in the 5000 metres for Blackheath & Bromley at the British Athletics League Division One match at Norman Park. Always in control of the race the 2012 Olympian in the marathon timed 15.01.74.

The Club’s other A string winner on the day was James Alaka, who is steadily returning to his best after taking a break from the Sport. He won both the 100 and the 200 metres in times of 10.70 and 21.26, the latter a seasons best.

This was a high quality match and despite four personal bests and eight seasons bests the Club finished in 5th place on the day out of the eight competing clubs. The result moves them up a place to 4th in the overall League table.

Having been studying in the States for four years, Jonathan Ilori has had little opportunity to compete for the team. He finished second in the triple jump with a distance of 14.28.This was some way off his best but this was because he was changing his technique and taking off on his other leg.

He was also part of the 4x100 metre team with Duayne Bovell, Great Britain bobsleigher Toby Olubi and Ishmael Smith John who finished in second place; and ran the anchor leg of the 4x400 team that included Luke Smallwood, Jack Messenger and Matthew Jones.

Luke was providing the electronic timing for the meeting as well as competing in the 400 hurdles and 400 metres on the back of working a number of 100 hour weeks. Jack set two personal bests. Having won the Southern Under 20 400 metre hurdles title last month he improved to 55.07 and produced a leap of 12.27 in his first proper triple jump contest.

Kertis Beswick also achieved a best in the hurdles timing 15.0 to finish second in the B 110s, faster than Mark Cryer in the A string who aggravated a hamstring injury but not before he had finished third in the long jump with 6.80 as well as claiming 6th in the high jump.

In the B string, one of the most pleasing aspects of the day was to see the return to competition of Lewis Ely. After missing the whole of 2014 following major heart surgery he had been looking forward to competing this year but sprained his ankle in April and had to have his foot in a cast. His training took a further set back with a heavy cold so this marks the start of his season.

Phil Sesemann is another who missed all last season but he continued to show what a valuable member of the team he has become by scoring well in the 800 and 1500. Georges Vacharopoulos had a fine run in the B 800 setting a seasons best of 1.55.70 to finish third. Ever reliable Alex Bruce Littlewood took the runner up spot in the B 1500 before competing in the 5000 just half an hour later.

Alex Gibbins and Dan Kennedy completed the middle distance success, Alex setting a seasons best and Dan a personal best of 10.36.05.

In the field Matt Blandford made his debut for the senior team finishing in the 5th in a high class discus contest as well as gaining important points in the shot. His efforts in the A string allowed Alex Pope to pick up two third places in the B strings to add to his haul of points in the hammer and javelin with Steve Timmins as his A string. Javari Cameron was 5th in the B long jump.

The pole vault demonstrated the Club is one for all ages with A string Allan Williams being four times the age of B string Edward Adams. Allan is the top over 60 in the country just missing out on clearing 3.40 while talented multi eventer Edward, an under 17, was 4th equal in the B string.

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