Juniors win NYAL

Both the girls and boys teams were severely depleted by Oxford United playing at Wembley on the same day, but despite spreading ourselves thinly we managed a convincing win over rivals Leamington and Swindon. The day was overshadowed by the pouring rain that blighted the last half of the competition so an enormous thank you to those who stayed all day only to have their later events cancelled.  Despite everything the team spirit once again shone through and many of the performances were outstanding. Beth Mulvany jumped a PB of 4.06 in the long jump and has proved herself to be a useful high jumper with a first competition in the event and a jump of 1.15. Shaznay Sumbu also jumped a PB (3.65) in the long jump and ran 2.38.8 in the 800m. It proved a good day in the sand pit as Jess Daniels jumped a PB of 4.23.  Robyn Trafford jumped 1.25 in the high jump, a PB for her despite the terrible conditions and an interruption to run the relay. Lauren Hawtin, just helping the team out, jumped 8.65 in the triple jump and ran 800m in 2.21.0.  An amazing 75m run in 11.5 by Alice Hopkins and a PB of 4.06.9 for Storm Sunderland in the 1200m. The under 17's excelled as usual - Zoe Webber ran a PB in the 200m of 30.5 , Jade Walker a PB of 11.03.4 in the 3000m and a 300m PB of 47.2 for Sarah Akponasa.  Well done to Emily Carstairs for a PB in the shot of 8.63.
The relays were run in the pouring rain but everyone came in with a smile - how do they do it????
The boys team had as much to smile about, but as usual went about their business with grim determination, beginning with an almost-clean sweep in the short sprints - 100m victories for Alfie Howlett (U13), David Sonan (U15) and Tom Downs (U17), Matthew Gain in the 200m (U15), and Tom Downs again in the 200m (U17), Max Tavinor (80mH)and Marcus Woodington (100mH). Marcus added to his haul of first places with victory in the 400mH and in the javelin where he is getting back to his best form. Missing our long sprinters and many middle distance runners, the team saw debuts from George Burton (U13), who ran a fine and impressive first 800m for the club, winning in 2:37.0s, to add to victory in the U13 high jump. Another more surprising victory came in the U17 400m where Ifeanyi Echeta and Andrew Busby jogged the lap for 1st and 2nd places in torrential rain. Earlier in the day Andrew posted a lifetime best of 1.72 to win the high jump, while teammate Mark Warland boosted his PB in the long jump to 5.45m and carried off victory in the U17M discus. Other victories came from Tomasz Napiorkowski in the U15 Shot and Discus, Tom Anstice in U15 Javelin, Matthieu Marshall in the U15 1500m - an astonishing achievement, as he had come straight from winning the Town and Gown junior event in Oxford - and Alfie Howlett in the U13 shot. By the time we reached relays expectations were high in all age groups, and were not disappointed, with the 4x 100m U13, U15 and U17s winning, to comple what must be an unusual treble in this league. The whole team is fast developing the winning habit, and with consistent performances in the sprints, jumps and throws Oxford's boys are becoming a force to be reckoned with