Battersby leads the way for Stratford AC's masters

STRATFORD AC’s masters continued their strong track and field season with both men’s and women’s teams taking second places at Brierley Hill in the latest Midlands Veterans League match.

On a warm and pleasant evening, Dave Battersby led the way. He warmed up for his main event by competing as a guest in the 100m and ended up breaking the M40 club record with 13.2.

He went on to set another M40 club record when winning the 400m in 57.6 and then anchored the men’s medley relay team.

Andy Reeves had similar success, finishing second in the M35 100m in a club record of 12.7.

In his first match, Dave Wilson leapt to second place in the long jump with an M40 club record of 4.12m.

Matt Burdus-Cook hurried back from a meeting in Manchester to arrive just in time to run a PB of 4.56.5 to finish fifth in the M40 1500m, before hurrying home to celebrate his wedding anniversary.

Having celebrated his 35th birthday a few days before, Ewan Rayment enjoyed his first vets league match with personal bests in both the 400m (62.2) and 1500m (5.30.8).

Team regular Malcolm Bowyer achieved strong third-place finishes in his 1500m (5.36.7) and 2000m race walk (14.33.5), while Paul Hawkins won his race walk in a season’s best time of 12.16.4.

David Jones made a welcome return from injury with a good 400m run, clocking 78.7 to place third in the M60 event.

Combined eventers John Boxall and Peter Coote had their usual active evenings racking up the points.

Coote’s 1.10m debut in the high jump gave him a complete set of field event club records in the M60 age group.

The women were similarly successful. Paula Williams dominated the W40 100m in 13.5, won the javelin with 34.81m and placed second in the long jump with 4.28m.

She added to her usual successful evening with a rare appearance over 400m, clocking 80.8.

After a three-year absence, Sarah Wheeler made a welcome return to the track with strong performances in the W35 100m (16.3), W40 400m (73.2), and W40 1500m (5:30.0) before anchoring the women’s medley relay team.

Rachel Clark had a similarly busy evening. After setting a W50 club record of 15.7 in the 100m, she then set personal bests in the 400m (81.3) and triple jump (7.07m), before running the 400m leg of the medley relay.

Christine Coote came second in the W60 100m in a club record of 16.7 before winning the high jump with 1.10m.

Meanwhile, Kate Sergent and Gemma Smith recorded solid performances in the 1500m and 2000m race walk.