Taylor just misses out 31 January
The Liverpool Pembroke Sefton senior sprint star, Phil Taylor, switched back to his favourite event, the 400m, for the Birmingham Games at the National Indoor Arena. After a good heat time of 48.89 Phil had swift semi-final qualifier of 47.79 which raised expectation for the final but a poor second lane draw was not helpful and although turning on the usual power finish Phil had to settle for fourth in 47.84. He next goes to the Irish Championships where he runs the 200m and then heads for the crucial European Trials at Sheffield in the middle of the month
More Northern gold for LPS 25 January
Following gold medals for Harry Doran and Phil Taylor the previous week in the Northern Under 20 and Senior Indoor Championships at Sheffield, Adam Thomson was back at the same venue for the Under 17 meet. Toying with the opposition in the heats of the 400m in 52.17 he took complete control of the final to soar away to a very impressive win in 50.61. The production line of quality one lappers coached by Ray Twentyman and Trisha Farrell at Edge Hill University continues its relentless journey. Also at Sheffield Adam’s Liverpool Pembroke Sefton colleague, Stuart Dolman, made two semi-final appearances, the 60m in 7.86 after a heat time of 7.62 and the 200m in 24.18, again after a slightly quicker heat of 24.08
Medals and a fall at the Northern Championships 24 January
The Northern Cross Country Championships, a superbly organised event, returned to the rolling slopes and thick mud of St Helens` Sherdley Park. The best Liverpool Pembroke Sefton team result of the day came from the club’s impressive Under 17`s who packed solidly to take the bronze medals in a tight encounter with the Lincoln and Sale clubs. Led by David Forrester(15) and Toby Loveridge(18), neither yet at their best, they had Jai Vernon-McGuigan(32) and a battling Mike Bride(34) to close in and with Chris Hesketh(76), Paul Roberts(99) and Sean Dignam(146) in reserve. There was a truly astonishing individual performance from Under 15 Alistair Nelson who fell badly at the start but gathered himself and chased the 150 plus field to emerge in 20th place at the end of the first lap. Even more was to come as he charged past another 16 to finish fourth, just shy of a prestigious medal. There were will be a lot more to come from this talented youngster. Club mates Sean Kirkbride(51), Adam Goldfarb(87) and David Reece(100) completed the team in 8th place with Warren Turner(113) and Kyle Nicholls(116). It was Rhea Ellis`s first year in the Under 20 age group but she was clearly not fazed by the challenge coming home a highly commendable 12th. Her star continues to rise. Other female performances came from U13s Georgie Hathaway(139) and Beth Deary(159), the U 17 pairing of Emma Binns(58) and Nicole Garner(71) and a similar brace of Seniors, Kirsty Longley(50) and Lisa Gawthorne(126). The club`s U13 Boys were 14th, Jake Sache(52), James Grundy(63), Jonathan Bride(147) and Albert Curran(158) plus Ben Haines(184). There was a trio of Under 20 Men on display, Joe McKenna(54), Harry Boyd(63) and Tom Hanlon(65) and a comparable number of Seniors Sammy Rashid(100), Clark Roberts(245) and Keith Lester(492)
Double gold in Northern Indoors
Harry in action at Sheffield
The Liverpool Pembroke Sefton sprint duo of Harry Doran and Phil Taylor got their 2009 campaign off to a truly magnificent start at the Northern Indoor Championships in Sheffield. Harry was first with a tremendous 48.32 posting to take the gold medal and title in the Under 20 400m. This was a personal best, indoors or out, but he capped his weekend with a fourth placed 200m in 22.67 to obliterate that PB as well. Meanwhile Phil Taylor was announcing his comeback in the Senior 200m edging his way through the heats with 22.8 and then a 21.64 semi-final. He really blitzed the field in the final with 21.60 not only a PB but a new club record. Both athletes struggled in 2008 with injuries but are now back on course for possible international honours this year. A real lift for the club especially with international Wayne Ashall also preparing well and a host of younger stars in the making. Further comment from the Northern Indoors…Harry Doran`s great 48.32 was a U20 Championship Best performance. His heat time was 50.28….also in the Final was Danny Higham(5th) in 50.84. His heat time was the same as Harry`s 50.28….Callum Burns did 53.50 in his heat….Phil Taylor warmed up for his tremendous 200m race with a 7.26 60m.
LPS secure Under 17 league title
At Leyland in the fourth of the Mid-Lancs Cross Country League matches Liverpool Pembroke Sefton secured the Under 17 league title with yet another easy win. Although Dave Forrester fell badly he struggled home second and with a jubilant Jai Vernon-McGuigan fifth, Chris Hesketh(7) and Mike Bride(8) the trophy was secured and ready for another journey back to the Edge Hill site even before the final matches have taken place. Sean Dignam(19) was, as usual, a dependable back up. The revelation of the season is Alistair Nelson who followed up his Under 15 Lancashire county win to again coast home first and raise expectations for the Northern event this coming weekend. Sean Kirkbride(7), Adam Goldfarb(13) and David Reece(15) collectively finished second team and ensured that the club would also be among the league medals when the season has run its course. There is depth in strength in this group as amply demonstrated by Kyle Nicholls(20), Joseph Hanlon(24), Warren Turner(25) and Darren McDonald(29). All clubs look for a continuous stream of athletes gathering in the lower age groups and LPS is collecting a solid Under 13 squad. James Grundy(7), Jake Sache(12), Harry Collins(21) and Nathan Browne(25) packed sufficiently well to record second team on this occasion with the additions of Albert Curran(28) and Jonathan Bride(34). A couple even appeared in the Under 11`s, Jake Egglesden(11) and Elliot Harram(22). At the other end of the scale over 40 Greg Callaghan finished 67th in the Senior race with Tom Hanlon 82nd but fourth Junior home. Results
Breakthrough for Alister Nelson 10 January
Liverpool Pembroke Sefton had divided interests yet again with the Lancashire Cross Country Championships held at Blackburn and the Merseyside equivalent at Arrowe Park. At Witton Park Alistair Nelson, who only took up running last summer, made a stunning breakthrough in the Under 15 event. Tracking two good Blackburn runners he turned on the heat in the last 300 yards to record a famous victory. Better still, he led Sean Kirkbride(6), Adam Goldfarb(14) and David Reece(15) to the team result over arch rivals Lancaster and Morecambe. Kyle Nicholls(25), Joe Hanlon(30) and Darren McDonald(34) were the supporting act. There was a scattering of other Lancashire competitors, U17 Women 9th Nicole Garner, U13 Boys 12th Nathan Brown, U20 Men 8th Tom Hanlon and second claim member Peter Hoyle 13th in the Senior Men’s race. Lancashire Results
L&D
At Birkenhead the Under 17 Men stole the headlines, David Forrester and Toby Loveridge dominated the individual title race with the former just getting away at the end. With Chris Hesketh 9th and Jai Vernon-McGuigan 11th the team scraped home ahead of Wirral and a delighted Jai collared the trophy to be the first to place it on the mantelshelf at home. Mike Bride(18) and Sean Dignam(19) were out of the counting squad on this occasion. The Under 13`s were unable to sustain a team, James Grundy(10), Albert Curran(21) and Jonathan Bride(40) and George Curran(13) was on his own in the U15 event. The Senior men was a parade of the old guys, Bernie Murphy(7), Graham Cairns(22), Greg Callaghan(29), Keith Lester(65), Mark Bleasdale(74), and Robbie Wood(76). Sixth team was no indication of the club’s potential strength but Bernie and Graham did at least have the satisfaction of going home with the gold for first over 40 and over 50 respectively.
Under 17 Merseyside winning team
There were only two Under 13 Girls present Georgie Hannaway(24) and Beth Deary(32) but Rhea Ellis, although finishing second in her race, took the Merseyside Junior title easily. She has rediscovered her confidence and is a rising star once more. The only other LPS woman, Kirsty Longley, ran comfortably and within herself to collect the Senior bronze medal.
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