Few Sussex athletes can boast that they have competed against the world's fastest woman at a Southern Athletics League meeting, but Crawley AC's relay women have those bragging rights!
At last Saturday’s Division 1 fixture at Gillingham, the triple European Champion and 2018 100m/200m world rankings leader - Dina Asher-Smith - put in an appearance for her club, Blackheath and Bromley, in the 4x400m relay, and casually knocked out a 52.6s split.
Before this highlight, some of Crawley's first year under-17’s came to the fore in their first Senior competition. Erin Bracknell ran a 58.75s personal best (PB) over 400m, for second place in the ‘A’ race, and Chloe Lipscomb won the Women’s hammer (4K) with a PB of 41.69m.
In the 400m Hurdles Under-20 Jessica Lambert ran close to her PB for the win in a time of 62.37s, to go to the top of the early season under-20 rankings. The ever consistent, Lillie Franks jumped 1.65m to take the high jump victory and Scott Staples 62.19m javelin throw for the win, was a strong start to his season.
Crawley were third with 167 points behind Blackheath and Bromley (230.5) and Medway & Maidstone (203).
In Division 2E, Eastbourne Rovers battled to the finish to beat the hosts Stevenage by just half a point with 208 to 207.5. This narrowest of victories was a concerted team effort, but would not have been possible without the multi-eventing talents of Bradley Eisnor. He was a big points scorer for his club, with wins in the 100m ‘B’ race, the 110m Hurdles, the Shot and Discus, a second place in the High Jump and third places in the Long Jump and Pole Vault.
In the ‘A’ 100m Bryn Smith was a mere 100th off his PB to take the win in 10.80s. He now has the two fastest times of the season and further secured his place at the top of the UK under-20 rankings.
Newly promoted Brighton headed to Finsbury Park for their Division 2 East fixture, and were third with 181.5 points, just behind Victoria Park and Tower Hamlets (187) and winners London Heathside who scored 211.5.
East Grinstead, Hastings, Horsham, Worthing and a joint Lewes and Haywards Heath Harriers team were all competing in the two Division 3 South East fixtures at hosts Hastings. Horsham dominated their half of the fixture with 241 points ahead of East Grinstead (177) and Worthing (164).
With home advantage Hastings dominated their four-way fixture, scoring 312 points to London City AC’s 178 and Lewes and Haywards Heath Harriers 86. That win was the highest score of the day and Hastings top the Division 3SE table. Horsham are fourth, East Grinstead eighth, Worthing 11th and Lewes and Haywards Heath 15th.
The match results for Chichester’s Division 3 South West fixture at Basingstoke have not yet been published, though the event results are on rankings sites. The information for all clubs and their positions in their respective divisions will be updated when the full results are published.
View the available results on Po10 and on the SAL website
If you have any queries, updates or amendments please Email Melanie Anning