Harriers get off to a flier in league opener

JUMPING FOR JOY: Spalding’s Olivia Thompson won the 70m hurdles event. Photo supplied

Nene Valley Harriers won their opening match of the East Anglian League as they produced an array of top performances at the Bury St Edmunds athletics track.

The Harriers won the under-17, under-15 boys and the under-15 girls competitions outright, claiming valuable points for the team and making a strong contribution to the overall result.

Under-15 athletes Kai Harrison and Spalding lad Charles Hughes produced the stand-out performances of the day, sweeping the board in the shot put, javelin and discus – as did Rob Shaw in the U17 equivalent events.

Harrison recorded personal bests (PB) in the discus and javelin with throws of 27.78m and 28.30m respectively, while Hughes’ 10.72m shot put effort was also the best he’d ever thrown.

Hughes’ twin brother William continued the family’s success when winning the high jump competition with another PB of 1.58m.

Tierney Augustine, meanwhile, took the top honours in the shot put (10.16m), the discus (26.27m) and hammer with (27.39m). His efforts in the discus and hammer were both PBs.

Elsewhere, under-17 Alex Hampson posted yet another win, this time in the 800m (2.02.8mins) before going on to take top spot in the 400m B race (55.2secs). That represented a winning debut for the Bourne athlete in the one lap event.

Spalding-based under-13 ace Olivia Thompson was also in a winning mood. She crossed the line first in the 70m hurdles.

Under-23 athlete Darrellon Holding destroyed his competitors in his first outdoor 400m of the season, clocking an impressive 49.7secs.
He was backed up by under-17 B string winner James McCrae, who posted 53.5secs.

Under-23 multi-eventer Dave Bush won his 800m race in a PB of 2.01.4mins, before going onto compete in the javelin, long jump and high jump as well.

Other Nene Valley winners: U/13 100m relay team, U/15 Alex Pullen in the 200m, U/15 Casey Hilliam in the 800m, U/17 Hermione Wright in the 80m hurdles, Rosie Jacobs in the high jump, U/13 Ryan Obromski in the B string 100m and 200m, U/13 Ben Roberts in the 1500m, U/13 Will Wright in the 75m hurdles, U/15 Will Hughes in the 200m, U/15 Tom Maker in the triple jump, U/17 Bradley Spurdens in the 400m, U/17 Oliver Bowling in the 1500m, U/17 Andy Noble in the high jump and U/17 Dan Lornie in the javelin.

The Harriers’ next match in this league will take them to Luton on June 8.