Ilford AC hosted the 2nd round of the UKYAL division 1 South East meeting on Sunday 5th June at Cricklefields stadium. It was a slightly overcast day, but the sun did occasionally make an appearance. The teams competing were as follows:

 

(Hosts) - Ilford AC

Newham & Essex Beagles

Lewes AC

Herts Phoenix AC

 

Ilford were able to amass there biggest field to date this season of  31 athletes, consisting of 20 boys and 11 girls. Unfortunately, there were a number of absentees due to illness and other committments, so numbers could have nearly exceeded 40.There was certainly a good team spirit amongst the athletes and this was very prominant thoroughout the whole day, everybody cheering on their fellow collegues when they could.

 

3 club records were set in the boys u17 4 x 100 relay, the boys u15 4 x 100 relay, and the girls u15 300m. Ilford's u17 sprinter Aaron Balogun was awarded "Athlete of the match" for his performances.

 

In the u/15 girls there was an exceptional run from Julianna Dougan in the 100m, cruising home in first place in a time of 13.7sec, her first win in this event. Lydia Hall also u/15 girls was cheered on from the side lines by all when she not only beat her best in high jump but smashed it. Lydia finished with a height of - 1m 35cm, jumping a hugh 10cm more than her previous best.

 

Ben Jones u/13 boy who was competing in his debut race (also only last minute entrant, plus running not really his event), took part in the 800m b-string and managed to last the 2 lap distance coming up in the rear, being clapped by all, well done.

 

Vivek Joshi u/15 boys continued to impress, running the 800m and taking nearly a second of his pb and throwing well in the discus. Also Chris Dawe u/15 boys achieved a great PB also in the discus by over 2 metres. Andy Carle (Debut), u/15 boys throw a brillant 29m 42cm to come second in the javelin, definately more to come there.

 

Lastly, the u/17 boys didn't let us down. Some quite extraordinary performances from Aaron Balogun, Gary Smallman and Joseph Perry. Gary simply blew his fellow competitors away in the 400m, winning in - 52.2sec, well ahead of his rivals, over 7 secs infact.

Aaron won his 100m, Joe 100m b-string.

 

All the team did exceptionally well, with personal bests being achieved over all the age groups. Although Herts Phoenix and Lewes were pulling away in the points score, it was a close run thing between us and Newham, going down to the wire, literally.

The final scores for the day were as follows:

 

Herts Phoenix AC             - 413 Points

Lewes AC                        - 359.5

Newham & Essex Beagles - 219 

Ilford AC                           - 218.5

 

Yes I know only 0.5 point between us and Newham.

 

                               U/13 Boys: