Stratford AC’s veterans achieve best ever league finish

STRATFORD Athletic Club’s veterans team capped their most successful season to date by finishing second overall in the Midland Veterans’ League Division South.

After the fourth and final fixture in Worcester on 25th July, Stratford AC’s women again finished the season in second place overall, while the men’s team eclipsed Bromsgrove and Redditch, overturning last year’s deficit of 52 points to claim second place overall by just seven points.

The magnificent performance has been achieved due to strength in depth, the willingness of team members to compete in events they are unfamiliar with, the consistent performance by a core group of athletes who have seen their hard work in training duly rewarded, and superb camaraderie and team spirit.

The team has also been supported by a group of officials, without whom these events would not be able to take place.

Stratford AC rounded off the season in fine style in Worcester, despite the absence of key team members due to holidays.

The women finished second while the men finished third, losing out to Bromsgrove and Redditch by just two points, with just 13 points separating the top three clubs.

Paul Hawkins achieved three PBs, the most notable of which in the 2,000m race walk, winning by 78 seconds. His time of 12.08.6 was three seconds quicker than his previous best. He was also fourth in the M60 discus and third in M60 hammer, earning a total of 19 points.

There was success all round in the men’s 200m. Phil Brennan was second M70, Andy List fourth M50 and Brian Gravelsons second M40, after a dramatic lunge for the line resulted in a nasty fall.

Andy Reeves, one of the reasons the men’s team have finished in second place this season, was second in the M35 200m and triple jump.

Robin Kindersley won 16 points in his three M60 events, coming second in 800m, fifth in the 3000m and fourth in the long jump, his first attempt at this event in many a long year.

Kieran Tursner was rightfully pleased with his runs in the 800m and 3,000m. Malcolm Bowyer won the M40 2,000m race walk by 42 seconds and was third in the M50 3,000m.

Team coach Tony Humphries added valuable points in the M40 pole vault and discus. Dave Wilson, after a long period of injury, earned points in the M40 shot and had a superb 200m race as a guest.