| Young Athletes at Wrexham Seniors at Wavertree Liverpool Pembroke Sefton have found Division 1 of the Senior Northern Track and Field League composed of Trafford, Sale, Gateshead, Leeds and Trafford a tough proposition. LPS hosted the third of the encounters at Wavertree Stadium and were hopeful of moving out of the relegation zone. It was one of those gritty encounters that provided few victories but some sterling performances. Phil Taylor was strong in winning the 200m in 22.3 and with colleagues Kieran McGing, Sam Hutchinson and Mark Grimshaw demonstrated once again the club’s monopoly of 4 x 400m relay running with an excellent time of 3.20.2, half the straight in front of the second team. A double win at A & B 400m Hurdles from Jon Rice and Paul Rudkin raised hopes and with Mark Line and Dave Readle busying themselves in the field events and piling up massive points things looked promising. It was much tougher for the girls but the throwers Natalie Walsh, Becci Keegan, Nicola Gore and Anne-Marie Pennington were performing with the best and with industrious athletes elsewhere like Ashley McComb, Stephanie Swift, Lucy Holcroft and Rachel Green there was hope that the club might finish third on the day. As it happened they had to settle for fourth. Only a super human effort in the last match can prevent relegation but on this performance that cannot be ruled out.The Young Athletes were at Wrexham and having much more success. Jacob Shaw is is demonstrating some exceptional jumping ability with wins at Pole Vault, High Jump and Triple Jump. The main talking point though is Wayne Ashall`s inch by inch progress towards a sub-50 second 400m time.On this occasion he clocked 50.7 yet another personal best. The club has made a habit of collecting the Athlete of the Match awards and Harry Doran was named for his time of 23.2 in the 200m but the second nomination went unexpectedly to Under 13 Joel Hutchinson with a 4.49m Long Jump. It is always a delight to see someone receive their first award. The girls also had numerous reasons to celebrate with, for example, Emma Bowen winning her 800m race in a sharp 2.22.6. The climax of matches are the relays and it is here that LPS once again demonstrated strength in depth winning 6 of the 9 relays on offer. A tightly fought match saw them home by 5 points from the Deeside club. Report Charles Gains 1/2 July 2006 |
| Rimmer Best in Trials Michael Rimmer has had an outstanding track season. He went to the Norwich Union European Trials and AAA of England Championships at Manchester`s SportCity with not only a magnificent personal best for 800m of 1.45.47 but also with an unexpected win against tough international opposition in Sweden. Having got the European qualifying time Michael only needed to place in the first two of the final to guarantee selection for the GB team at the European Championships in Gothenberg this August. Escaping the rough and tumble of a heat he qualified easily. In the final he ran the perfect two lap race staying out of trouble, covering the leaders and kicking in the home straight. The rest of the field could not match his blistering pace and he came clear in 1.47.2 to delight not only those in the stadium but millions of television viewers. The time was irrelevant on this occasion but the win was crucial. Rimmer thus becomes the only athlete in history to have won a AAA of England 800m title at Under 15, Under 17, Under 20 and now at Senior level. A truly remarkable achievement for the Liverpool Pembroke Sefton athlete. Rimmer’s LPS team mates were at Victoria Park, Warrington for the final Northern Junior League match. Yet another Athlete of the Match award came the club`s way in the shape of Harry Doran’s 400m win in an exceptional 50.6. There was also a welcome return to form for Alex Stokes who recorded a 100m victory in 11.3. For the girls Lauren Cummings is proving a useful support act to the club’s principal throwers. She was the B winner of the Hammer with 25.50 behind A winner Becci Keegan(33.65) and a similar B winner(31.03) to colleague Natalie Walsh in her A victory (36.03). It is on the back of such solid performances that team success is built and although the club yielded first place to Cheshire Tigers on the day, the overall league title was secured for the Ormskirk based club. Report Charles Gains 16 July 2006 |
Snowdon Once More!
 Robbie near the end of Snowdon Mountain race Although he probably does know better club secretary Robbie Wood once more allowed the magnetic allure of the Snowdon Mountain Race to once again permit him to suspend sanity for the day to take part in the International Snowdon Mountain Race. |
| Young Athletes Promoted 23 July Liverpool Pembroke Sefton Young Athletes were at Wrexham for the final match of the summer in their track and field league programme. The local club has made a habit out of nail biting finishes and this occasion was no different. The chances of promotion to the Northern Premier League rested entirely on winning this particular encounter over close rivals Warrington and Bolton. The enthusiasm of the team was infectious and a solid body of wins and good placings kept the club in touch with the leaders throughout a very warm day. The matter was still in the balance until the relays that culminate the programme. LPS has a fearsome reputation in this area and their opponents positively wilted as the club comfortably took six of the relays on offer. The final result was LPS 381 points, Warrington 365 and Bolton 328. The match was secured and the overall total for the season guaranteed promotion. It was not a particular day for star performances but two local athletes gained Athlete of the Match awards. Danny Higham`s 51.5 Under 17 400m caught the eye but was not entirely unexpected gived his talent and progress. But an even more delightful plaudit came the way of Jessica Bolton whose strength and determination in taking the Under 13 800m in 2.35 was exemplary. It has been a very successful season for the club in finding new talent like this at almost every match. This Young Athlete triumph matched that of their Junior counterparts who won their respective league a little earlier in the season. Following Michael Rimmer`s stunning 800m international breakthrough there will be a lot of smiles at the club`s Edge Hill College headquarters this coming week. Report Charles Gains |
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