Torbay on Saturday 2nd March 2013 was another memorable occasion. The teams selected were very strong and on average a successful outcome was to be expected. So it proved simply because the athletes did perform and more consistently than the other teams.
Jonny Savill missed all bar his first event and an assuring X-Ray with advice was completed so that he was able to travel back on the coach. We trust the back pain will disappear and that he will soon be fit for rugby and the National Finals at the LG Arena on Sunday 7 April 2013.
This is the fifth consecutive year that the boys have qualified and the girls have achieved a similar pattern over the last three years.
As well as a team event the competition incorporates an Allrounder Event and six athletes each compete in three events. The outcome was really good with four athletes in the top three.
BOYS Points GIRLS Points
1st Tomas Goodman 144 2nd Sophie Thomas 139
2nd Cameron Thaws 143 3rd Ada’ora Chigbo 138
The medallist were support by:
5th Ryan Fowler 134 4th Shanique Pierre 133
9th= Tom Wilkins 128 5th Ella Falk 126
21st= Tinashe Ngundu 100 6th= Cecilie Anderson 124
10th Pippa Reilly 119
In the individual events top three medal placings were achieved impressively with some regularity.
Sophie Thomas – 4 lap run 48.3 2nd=, Speed Bounce 94 1st , Vertical jump 54cm 5th
Ada’ora Chigbo – Shot Putt (3.25kg) 9.79m 1st , Standing Long Jump 2.26m 2nd
Shanique Pierre – Vertical Jump 66cms 1st
Ella Falk – 2 lap run 22.1 1st , Vertical Jump 56cms 3rd=
Cecilie Anderson – Speed Bounce 84 2nd
Tomas Goodman – 4 lap run 42.4 1st , Standing Triple Jump 7.90m 1st
Cameron Thaws – 2 lap run 21.1 2nd = , Standing Long Jump 2.62m 1st , Shot Putt 10.33m 3rd
Ryan Fowler – Speed Bounce 82 2nd , Standing Long Jump 2.40 3rd
Sophie was within 1 of equalling her best at speed bounce in this competition and will be hoping for 96 or more in April. Ada’ora was within 17 cms of the shot putt best set back in 2005.
The team result takes the four best individual scores and adds the points from two relays. Kinnie Songu and Kai Smith played key roles in the 4 x 2 lap relays.
Cecilie and Shanique combined for the 8 lap paarlauf and won with something to spare. Tomas and Ryan had a much closer top quality race and triumphed.
The Girls Sophie, Ada’ora, Ella and Kinnie 4 x 2 lap team came 2nd by a very tiny margin. The boys fared better with a commanding run Tom, Kai, Tinashe and Cameron. 1st place is worth 70 points and 2nd 60 points.
This year support was given to the team by three reserves who travelled. Harvey Flower, Laura Statham and Caitlin Harrold. Reserves were able to do non scoring events. Unfortunately reserves cannot be used as substitutes for athletes who have to withdraw once they have competed an event.
Jade Simpson from Devon won the Allrounder and featured in the best Devon team since 2005. They matched Avon in the relays but lacked the consistency of our scoring quartet. Jade will take part in the National Finals as an individual.
In conclusion well done to everyone in the team and now we can all look forward to the finals.
Boys Girls
Avon 685 Avon 666
Devon 644 Devon 642
Gloucester 606 Dorset 545
Dorset 508 Gloucester 523
Thanks to Paula and Yemma Songu, Zoe Goodman and Simonne Lowrey who officiated and Simonne especially who accompanied Jonny to hospital.
Hilary Nash – 3 March 2013