BROMSGROVE & Redditch AC suffered the narrowest defeats as Worcester AC edged a closely-fought Midland Veteran’s Track & Field League encounter.
Worcester won by just a single point at the The Dell Stadium in Brierley Hill as a string of strong showings from a number of Bromsgrove athletes were not enough.
Among those included Mike Neylon, who finished second in the men’s over 50 200m with 27.2, Jason Cashmore, who was edged out by Worcester’s Stephen Buttler in the men’s over 40 200m.
There was no such agony for Martin Aspley-Davis who secured the men’s over 35 200m title, and team manager Calvin Scoltock who came out on top in the men’s over 40 800m and the men’s over 35 2k walk.
Clive Rose won the men’s over 60 3000m for B&R, while James Adie, who has recently turned 35, made a dream start to life in the veteran’s league as he claimed a club record of 9:43.5 in the 3000m.
Records were also broken in the triple jump as Clive Brown lept to an impressive 6m 46, but he had to settle for a silver medal in the over 60 section.
Stephen Brooks produced his best high jump of 1m 45 to finish second in the men’s over 40 category, while Mike Neylon set a new over 50 club record of 4m37 to win the men’s over 50 long jump.
The highlight of the men’s competition was the last event of the evening – the 4 x 400m relay.
Worcester’s Richard Houchin took the baton for them with a clear lead over B&R in second place. Aspley-Davis ran a stunning final leg for B&R but was still behind Houchin with 2m to go. However, he edged ahead of Houchin on the finish line to take the win, with both teams recording the same time of 3:52.6.
B&R still maintain top spot in the division due to winning the first fixture by three points.
In the women’s competition, Worcester once again B&R pipped to the win.
New club member Peggy Blunn competed for B&R in the women’s over 70 200m and finished 2nd behind Worcester’s Iris holder.
Deborah Ricci was also second in the women’s over 40 200m behind Stratford’s Paula Williams.
Joanne Frost returning from an injury won the women’s over 35 200m in a time 27.3 with Cat Goulder-Davis from Worcester second seconds behind.
Becky Selvey came second in the over 40 800m behind Midland Masters Audrey Wilson, while newcomer to the veteran’s league, Katy Anderson, easily won the women’s over 35 3000m for B&R in a time of 11:16.9 with her nearest rival half a lap behind.
Rita Brownlie was 2nd in the women’s over 60 javelin, while there was also second places for Polly Gerner (women’s over 50 long jump) and Julie Wakelam (women’s over 40 discus).
Elsewhere, the B&R women were clear winners in the 4 x 400m relay.
