As the Cardiff ladies team boarded the bus on Friday 30th July the mood was a mix of excitement and anticipation; after winning the first two matches would we be able to do enough to get promotion to the premier division?
The day got off to a shaky start. Unpredictable changes in wind speed and direction left our normally maximum point scorers Imogen and Rhiannon below par in the long jump. Despite their best efforts, both girls were disappointed with their performances. However, they did go on to place second in the A and first in the B competition. The 400m hurdles saw a good performance from the captain Emma Peters, finishing in third place behind two very strong athletes. The B race gave Danielle Mill a chance to gain experience of competing at senior level as she made her debut in the UKWAL.
After five events Cardiff were lying in sixth place out of seven, a position that we had not found ourselves in during the previous two matches. A great performance by Bethan Strange in the 800m (2nd in the A race), whereby she gained her first PB in five years and some strong performances in the 100m, pole vault, 400m and triple jump saw us quickly move through the standings to the top three. There went on to be further outstanding performances by Vicky Nasrat, who controlled the 3000m to eventually come home to a comfortable victory; Gemma Leahy who by winning B race gave us maximum points in this event; Emily Brown who despite carrying an injury dominated the 2000m steeplechase yet again; Hannah Pendlebury who obtained second place in the 100m and 200m and Lianne Clarke who achieved another first in the javelin with a throw of 50.95m – a throw that would break her own club record.
With only the relays left to take place, Cardiff found themselves back in the lead with a comfortable margin to the second placed team Enfield. As the end of the match drew near it became quickly evident that not only had we done enough to gain promotion, but in fact by winning all three matches, the girls had scored maximum league points – a fantastic result. Athlete of the match went to Bethan Strange for her PB in the 800m and gutsy performance in the 4x400m relay.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank a number of people for their help and commitment during my first season as team manager:
• John Penny for all his support and advice throughout the year.
• Howie, Roger, Tony and Gary for preserving valuable points by officiating in the matches.
• Phil Banning for travelling and assisting with the team during the third match.
However, most of all, the biggest thank you has to go to the athletes themselves for their determination, commitment and adaptability throughout the three matches. I am proud of each and every one of them – they thoroughly deserve promotion. Next year Cardiff ladies head for the premier division – watch this space!
The match result was: 1.Cardiff (209.5 points); 2. Enfield & Haringey (192.5); 3. Swansea (187); 4. Milton Keynes (178.5); 5. Bedford (162.5); 6. Southampton (160.5); 7. Wigan & District (122.5).
The final league positions are: 1. Cardiff (24 points); 2. Enfield & Haringey (20); 3. Swansea (17); 4. Bedford (15); 5. Milton Keynes (12); 6. Southampton (9); 7. Wigan & District (8); 8. Liverpool (2).
Cardiff's individual event winners were: Emma Peters (400m B); Vicky Nasrat (3000m A); Emily Brown (2000m s/c A); Lianne Clarke (javelin A); Jess Abrahams (pole vault A); Bryony Raine (pole vault B); Imogen MIles (triple jump B).