LAG YDL – Match 2 Report

On Sunday 19th May our U13 and U15 boys and girls took on the task of the home Youth Development League fixture. Below you can read the individual reports from each of our team managers.

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A fantastic result by BBHAC to win the second of our YDL league fixtures, held at Norman Park yesterday. Sunny conditions saw a raft of PBs and excellent performances across the board from our boys. On the track, Jack ran a new wind-legal best for 3rd in the A string sprint hurdles, supported by Kesinachi, who struggled to find his stride pattern on his YDL debut but bravely completed the race to secure valuable points for the club. Piers and Olufikayo (on his club YDL debut) secured wins in the 100m A and B strings. Nicholas posted a PB and is knocking on the door of the elite sub-12 club, while Jericho shaved a quarter of a second off his previous best. Piers and Troy strengthened their grip on their places in the top 6 of the national 200m ranking, smoothly powering to wins in the A and B string races with new best times, cruelly falling just the wrong side of the wind gauge.

 

In the 300m Jonathan and Oscar S both ran excellent races against very strong competition to finish 4th and 3rd respectively in their races, with Jonathan going on to demolish his previous best to win the A string pole vault (moving up to 4th in the national ranking). In the 800m, strong runs from Kian (with a very impressive negative split of 64/61 seconds) and Daniel (in a great demonstration of solo front running) did exactly what was asked of them and safely bagged maximum points in the A and B races, backed up by fast runs from James B (just outside his PB) and Teddy (making his team debut).

Excellent tactical running from James S and Zacchaeus saw our boys make it an endurance ‘double double’ with A and B string wins in the 1500m, each of them knocking 4 seconds off their respective previous bests. In the field, Alex G equalled his PB to come a close second in the A string long jump, then jumped an outdoor PB in the high jump to win the A string competition. Jack — having left after the hurdles to squeeze in a cheeky game of soccer for his football team — returned to the track in time to score further important points, jumping close to his best for 3rd place in the B long jump and securing 4th in the A shot put competition with a new PB.

 

Rory (ranked 6th in the country for hammer) threw close to his best and was only narrowly beaten into second place as he continued his duel with Woodford’s thrower, then later equalled his PB in the pole vault to ensure our boys secured maximum points from the vault event. Seb — new to the hammer and making his first start since moving up to the U15s this season — threw well in his first hammer competition to score a valuable 2nd place in the B string, before securing another 2nd place in the B high jump and comfortably winning the B javelin. Dylan won the A string javelin with a new PB, moving him into the national top 10. Aathi marked his first competition in a BBHAC vest since switching clubs with a new discus PB to secure 2nd place in the A string and consolidate his place just outside the national top 20, and later came 3rd in the B string shot competition. Olufikayo (ranked top 10 for discus) comfortably won the B string discus event.

 

In the relays, our 4x100m team of Piers, Nicholas, Oscar S and Olufikayo ran the fastest time of any BBHAC U15 relay team in almost a decade to win by nearly 2 seconds and go clear at the top of the national rankings, whilst our 4x300m team of Jericho, Aathi, Kian and Jonathan ran well to claim an excellent third place on the day.

 

Well done to all the athletes, and thanks also to the parents for their fantastic support throughout the day. Looking ahead, our next league fixtures are the YDL at Hornchurch on 16 June, followed by the Kent League on 22 June. Before then we have a BBHAC open meet tomorrow — good luck to those of you competing!

After reflecting on Sunday’s home YDL match at Norman Park, I’ve put together a brief report to highlight the outstanding performances of all our U13 Boys. Luca kicked off the day with the 75m hurdles, sprinting to a strong finish and securing 2nd place in the A string. Shortly after, he and Calum competed in the shot put, both achieving PBs and earning valuable points for the team. Jacob and Zach P, making his club YDL debut, excelled in their 150m races. Jacob fought hard in a fast A string race, achieving a new PB and finishing 4th, while Zach confidently won his B string race with a great PB. Zach E in A String and Jesse in B delivered great runs in the 800m, both earning new PBs and finishing strongly fighting to get in front of others on the home straight to gain those additional all important points. Ashley, also making his club YDL debut, along with Calum, Nico, and Zach, faced strong competition in the 75m race. Ashley, Nico, and Zach all achieved new PBs.

 

In the field events, Oscar and Nico tackled the high jump, each securing PBs and scoring valuable points. Zach E and Oscar also performed well in the javelin, with Zach finishing 5th in the A string and setting a new PB, while Oscar secured 4th place in the B string group with a solid PB. Emery and Harry, making his club debut, had fantastic races in the 1200m, scoring maximum points by winning both the A and B strings and setting impressive new PBs. Emery’s performance has now ranked him 3rd in the UK. Luca competed in the A string long jump, achieving a new PB and securing 4th place, while Ashley won his B string event. In the 4x100m relay, Calum, Jacob, Nico, and Zach ran an excellent race, finishing in a commendable 2nd place.

 

Congratulations to all the athletes for their outstanding performances, helping BBHAC to win the day. Looking ahead, our next YDL meet is on Sunday, June 16th, in Hornchurch—a great way to spend Father’s Day . I will be in contact shortly with the team sheet.

A fantastic turnout by the girls on Sunday. 15 PBs. 75m hurdles great run by Matilda and a PB for Fayo. 100m another PB for Isabella and great run by Sienna. 200m, another great run by Isabella and a PB for Emilia. 300m, great runs by Sophie and Ariana both 2nd. 800m, a PB for Sophie and another 1st for Alba, Freya got a PB in NS 800. 1500. 1st for Aoife and a PB for Evie.

 

HJ, Alessia PB and 1st in the country, Fayo 2nd. LJ, PBs for Alessia and Amelie. Another 1st in PV for Ella. 2 1st in Shot for Emilia and Kaweng. Discus another 2 firsts for Kaweng and Jackie and a PB. Hammer 1st and 2nd and 2 PBs for Jackie and Isla. Javelin , PB for Emilia and a good throw from Heidi. 4x100m relay, 49.30 now 1st in country along with the 4x300m 2.52.81 also 1st in country.

 

Well done girls some great performances and so many PBs on the back of a lot of you were at the County Championships the week before.

U13 girls yet more great performances and 12 PBs. With most girls doing 2 or 3 events across the day. 70m hurdles 4th for Eva and a PB for Olivia. 75m, PBs for Etse Lauren and Lola and equal PB for Faye. 150m, 5th for Eva and 1st Etse 20.60 but wind assisted. 800m 1st Eva, 3rd Jasmine and PBs for Ella and Imogen NS. 1200m,PBs for both Harriet and Holly.

 

LJ, PB for Olivia Faye got a jump in. HJ, Faye 1.10 equals PB. Shot, Dulcie 5th and PB for Harriet. Javelin, PBs for both Dulcie and Harriet. 4x100m 55.91, and 1st place and 1st in the country.

 

Well done girls you were amazing!