Photo -The TAC squad after their Southern Counties Veterans League wins
Tonbridge Athletic Club had success at two final league fixtures over the weekend, whilst also having competitors at the UK Championships, held in Birmingham.
The men’s and women’s over 35 squads competed at Eltham, on Friday, evening, in the sixth and final match of the Southern Counties Veterans League, Kent Division. Whilst the women’s team had won all of the previous matches, against the five other clubs, the men had a tough battle with Dartford for the league title. Dartford had won two matches and placed second in the other three, whilst Tonbridge had won three, finished second once, but slipped up with a fourth place in mid-July. It meant that Tonbridge had to win this final men’s match to secure the division victory. This they did, beating Dartford by 67 points to 64, so although both clubs had equal divisional points, Tonbridge won by virtue of amassing more match points.
Men’s wins were secured by Ian Crawley (m60 Discus), Steve Tester (m35 Triple Jump) and Tom Richards (m35 800m). Nina Ridge won three of the women’s events in the w50 100m, High Jump and Discus, whilst Charlotte Nicholls won the w35 Discus.
The Tonbridge under 17 and 20 squad won their final match in the UK Youth Development League Division Two to secure the top place overall and promotion. The team had 24 A-string individual wins, plus three relay victories. with plenty of athletes contributing good points. Amongst them was Toby Gwinnell winning under 17 men’s High Jump, Shot Put and Discus. Saskia Taylor won the under 17 women’s 300m and High Jump, plus Araba Taylor the 300m hurdles and Long Jump.
Matilda Secker was the youngest Tonbridge athlete competing at the UK Championships, at Birmingham and was also the youngest in the women’s High Jump. However, she acquitted herself superbly to finish in equal fourth place, clearing 1.74 metres, just below her personal best. The only other finalist was James Kingston who finished 15th in the 5000 metres.
Jack Higgins just missed qualifying for the men’s 800m final, which was one of the most competitive events of the championships, whilst his brother Ted was tripped and fell in his 1500m heat. Kieran Eland ran well in his 400m heat, recording 47.94, but did not make that final. Asha Root raced the heats of the 100 metres, having qualified in that event, although the 400m is her preferred event.