English Success at Welsh International
Under 20 teams from England North, England Midlands and England South headed to Cardiff to take on the Wales Under 20 and Welsh Schools teams in the Welsh International.
The match was originated as a way of providing competition opportunity for Under 20 athletes with selection based on performances at the area championships.
England Athletics Head of Competition Andy Day said, “We have seen a great competition in Wales and it has been encouraging to see how the athletes have responded to the opportunity to compete in this event. We have seen strong performances on the night, and also witnessed good performances in the Area Championships that have led to the athletes being selected.
"We also want to thank Welsh Athletics and the volunteers involved for their efforts in hosting this match."
It was a clean sweep of the medal positions for the England teams as England North won with 108 points to the 99 of England South, and the 92 of England Midlands. Wales Under 20 came in on 65 points.
Sophie Percival (West Cheshire, David McKay) got England North of to a flying start taking the javelin with a Season’s Best and new meeting record of 42.08.
Lee Thompson (England North, Rotherham, John Henson) was another who set a meeting record when he won a competitive 400 with a new PB of 47.32. Owen Richardson (England South, Basingstoke & Mid Hants, John Davis) had blazed through 200 and Joe Brier (Wales, Swansea, Neal Merry) also charged down the home straight to a 47.62, also a PB.
Niall Carney (England Midlands, Solihull, Joe Caines) won the match 400m hurdles in 53.98 with guest Paul Bennett (Cardiff AAC, Cardiff, Adrian Thomas) home just ahead in 53.36. Also in the 400m hurdles Chloe Esegbona (England North, City of Stoke, Helen Esegbona) passed leader Danel Jansen Van Rensburg (England Midlands, Solihull & Small Heath, Joe Caines) coming off the bend to take win in 62.94.
Tilly Simpson (England North, Hallamshire, Steven Marshall) led the 800 through the bell in 63.19 with the rest of the field headed by Laura Mullin (England Midlands, Charnwood, Alison Wyeth) hot on her heels but Tilly pulled clear to win in 2:10.17 as Naomi Reid (Wales, Cardiff, Phil Benning) moved into second.
The men’s 800m saw James O'Brien (England Midlands, Cannock & Stafford, Stephen O’Brien) leading through 400 in 57.42 and while guest Jack Gooch (Swansea Harriers, Kevin Tobin) came past in the latter stages to take a win in 1:53.91 but O'Brien held on to win the match result. James told us afterwards, "To be selected for the England-Midland team was a season's goal but to win my first international match in an England vest has been the highlight of my season so far. Thank you so much for the opportunity."
Niamh Bridson Hubbard (England South, Blackheath & Bromley, Andy Frankish) led the Dave Lewis Mile through half way in 2:25 before then passing the bell in 3:39.45 and coming home in 4:50.75 with Amy Hinchly (England South, Vale Royal, Andrew Carter) second in 5:02.16. After cagey opening Ossama Meslek (England North, Leeds, Phil Townsend) puts his foot to the gas and came away to win the Ann Hill mile in 4:20.35 with time to ease off as Will Perkin (England South, Chiltern, Steve Perkin) took second in 4:22.44.
Guest Chris Stone (Bristol & West, Dan Cossins) was fastest of the 200m runners in 21.53 ahead of Connor Wood (England North, Leeds, Brian Scobie) 21.70. Jazz Crawford (England South, Blackheath & Bromley, Piotr Spas) took the women's event in 25.16 ahead of guest runner Katie-Jane-Priest (Newport).
It was Vera Chinedu (England South, Cambridge H, Ryan Freckleton) who took the women's 100 in 12.20 (-2.6) as Jazz Crawford (Guest, Blackheath & Bromley, Piotr Spas) came home in 12.25. Rico Ewer (England Midlands, Rugby & Northampton, Beverley Simms) clocked a 10.95 (-0.9) ahead of Kesi Oludoyi’s (England South, Harrow, Marvin Rowe) 10.97.
Megan Davies (England Midlands, Cannock & Staffs, Shaun Ainge) was winner of the women’s 400 in 56.36 ahead of Melissa Roberts (Wales, Cardiff, Phil Banning).
There was a dominant display of hurdling from Hope Sarti (England South, Guildford & Godalming, Glyn Peckham) who crossed the line looking across to see the clock stopping in 14.30 (-1.0). The 110m hurdles was a win for Jacob Spence (England Midlands, Yate, James Hillier) in 14.57 (-1.6).
In the field Christina Jones (Guest, Bristol & West, Carys Parry) won the hammer with a mark of 59.62 with Katie Lambert (England Midlands, Kidderminster & Stourport, Steve Pearson) the match winner with her 55.84.
Emily Borthwick (England North, Wigan, Fuzz Caan) went clear at 1.76 to win the high jump
Lucy Bryan (Guest, Bristol & West, Charles Peston) was pick of the pole vaulters with a 4.15. Jessica Swannack (England North, Preston, Matt Cullen) was best of the match athletes with 3.65.
Robbie Shaw (England North, Nene Valley) claimed maximum team points in the shot with 15.47 with Paralympic legend Aled Davies (Federation of Disability Sport Wales, Ryan Spencer-Jones) competing as a guest recording 16.33.
Osaze Aghedo (Wales, Swansea, Steve Ingram) took the triple jump with 14.27 (+0.9) from Jacob Veerapen (England South, Sutton & District/Blackheath & Bromley, Tony Ganio) who jumped out to 13.92 (+3.3).
Michael Oku-Ampofo (England South, Newham & Essex, Coral Nourrice) took the match long jump in 7.03 (+3.8).
It was a guest, Brett Morse (Cardiff AAC, Nigel Bevan) who threw out to 57.60 to win the discus. But the match competition was won by Tom Dobbs (England North, Wigan, Robert Halliwell) 46.03.