There were mixed fortunes for Sussex teams in last weekend’s Southern Athletics League matches with only a couple teams winning their matches and a couple finishing fourth and last.
In Division One at Milton Keynes Crawley, who were also involved in the British League on Sunday, finished second after a fine battle with the home team scoring 212 to 225.5 points and this was a pretty good effort as Colchester were a close third with 204.5 points.
There was victory in Division Two East at Hemel Hempstead where Eastbourne had an even closer battle with home team Ipswich winning by three points with 216.5 points to 213.5 comfortably clear of Ryston who scored 175.
In Division Two West at Abingdon Brighton & Hove, who like Crawley needed to field at British League team on Sunday as well continued their disappointing season and finished fourth with 129 points, well adrift of the other teams.
The rest of the Sussex teams contested various Division Three matches and in the two South West matches at Portsmouth Worthing were second in their match behind Team Kennett 177 to 147 points and Chichester struggled into fourth place in their match.
In the South East matches at Hastings the home team had a close battle with St Marys before having to settle for second place with 200.5 points to the winner’s 211 while Horsham Blue Star won their match romping clear of the Swale team with 216 points to 120.5.
East Grinstead and Lewes/Haywards Heath were both involved in separate matches in the same Division at Dartford with East Grinstead placing second to Cambridge Harriers with 144 points to 174 while Lewes were third well adrift of the South London and Epsom teams.
NATIONAL CHAMPS
Just one week after the highly successful, for Sussex, South of England U15/17 championships the English U15/17 Championships are being held at Bedford on both Saturday and Sunday.
Several leading Sussex athletes, who missed last weekend because of holidays are back and are in a strong entry from Sussex youngsters though holiday are not usually regarded as good preparation for a National championships.
There are hopes however for several Sussex medals.
If that was not enough for what is virtually the end of the Track Season for most Sussex athletes, on Monday the Crawley Club will be holding their annual Tom Lintern Medal meeting at K2.
If you have any queries or want more information regarding this post, please Email Reg Hook.