Rosenheim League West Kingston May 5th 2010

Both K&P’s Men and Women’s teams had a successful start to the Rosenheim League. The Men won by 12 clear points from Epsom & Ewell, with title holders St Mary’s only managing equal 3rd place. The Women were much closer, beating St Mary’s into 2nd by a single point in a disappointingly sparsely contested match.

The great thing about the Rosenheim is its low key and friendly nature, where senior elite athletes can rub shoulders with Vets and younger club members gaining experience. All of them can make a significant contribution to the team and so it transpired on the night.

Men’s Team Manager, Humphrey Waddington led by example, unexpectedly taking to the throwing circles to cover 2 events just 3 weeks after his ankle operation. He also press-ganged Club stalwarts Maurice Joyce (PV) and Cashel Riordan (400m) into unlooked-for scoring competitions, alongside Gordon Lester who was only at Kingsmeadow for an innocent training session and unexpectedly found himself in the 800m! All of them did the club proud and contributed vital points to enable the victory.

Elsewhere, the specialists delivered with aplomb, showing great early season form. Club Coach and 2nd Claimer Richard Holt set the tone, comfortably winning his 400H. This was followed by a further torrent of scoring victories, from David Cook (100m), Justin Green (200m), Patrick Hillyer (TJ), George Corcoran (1500m), Sean Renfer (3K), and Jason Louis Bernard/Richard Holt/Draco Mkpa/Justin Green (4x200m). All of these athletes were ably supported by a string of high quality K&P non-scoring performances, including a fine 3K run from Andy Robinson (M40),who also helped U20 George Corcoran to a PB at 1500.

The women also enjoyed several wins. Clare McLeish pulled off a sprightly sprint double, with 2nd claim Leanne Bettis closely following her in the 100m. Leanne went on to throw an excellent non-scoring Discus beating our scorer, Pippa Wingate, who still claimed 1st place to go with her earlier win in the Hammer. Natalie Sacre also enjoyed a non-scoring Shot Putt outing and Joan Trimble had a nippy run out in VAC guise.

It was a most enjoyable night, but we’ll need a few more athletes at the next match(at Stompond Lane,Walton on May 19th) if we are to keep the momentum going and our noses in front!