IT was a clear case of ‘girl power’ as Bury AC’s ladies showed their male counterparts how to win events in the second Northern Track and Field League match this season. Pendle AC hosted the fixture, but used the facilities at Bury’s Market Street track. The blustery conditions made it a testing day for the athletes competing in events on both the track and the field.

First win of the day came from Laura Evans, making a welcome return to competing for Bury, who won the A 400m hurdles (72.6) by a long margin. Laura followed this with a win in the 100m hurdles (21.6) later on in the day. She completed her busy day by taking third place in both the A triple jump (9.66) and B shot putt (6.03), before helping the 4 x 400m relay team to victory.

The second event on the track was the 800m, with Christie Cook taking second (2.26) in a hard fought A race and Katie Geelan winning the B race (2.34). For the men, Jack Griffiths, making his track debut for Bury, took fourth in the A race (2.10), a position that was matched by Rob Granby in the B event (2.23).

Staying with the distance events, it was a double win in the 1500m with Lauren Booth taking the A race (5.27) and Donna Cartwright the B (5.28), personal bests for both athletes. For the men, Ben Coop took 4th place in the A (4.28) with young Patrick Clarke securing place 2nd in the B (4.44), recording a new personal best in his first senior track outing. Completing the distance domination for the ladies, Sophie Whittaker and Caitlin Cole both ran strong and tactically astute races to win the A and B races in 10.43 and 11.01 and being rewarded with season’s best and personal bests respectively. Giles Bennett paid the price for a fast start in the 5000m, dropping back to 5th place (18.53). Dave Flood scored valuable points in the 3000m steeplechase, taking fourth place in the A race (13.58).

In the sprints, where the athletes were buffeted by the strong wind, Bury’s younger lady athletes performed well. In the 100m A race, Charlotte Martin took 4th place (16.2) with Chelsey Lee winning the B event (16.1). For the men, Hashim Shah finished fifth in the A (12.1), with Mike Hunter taking 4th in the B (12.9). In the 200m, Marina Hudson recorded 30.4 to secure third place in her senior debut; Chelsey took second in the B with 33.7. Hashim and Mike teamed up again in the men’s 200m, with Hashim finished fifth in the A (25.1) and Mike sixth in the B (26.0). In the 400m, Nicola Harland ran strongly in the A race to take third in 66.2, a time matched by Viola Melingi in finishing second in the B. Rob Granby held on for fifth in the men’s A race (56.8), with Matt Jones taking second in the B with a pleasing 55.3 debut.

In the field events, Nicola Quick was runner up in the pole vault (2.10) and Ruth Worthington scored well with 6th in the A shot (6.09), fourth in the A discus (18.34), fourth in the A hammer (18.39) and then winning the B javelin (14.89). Charlotte Martin recorded a new best throw (16.13) in the A javelin to secure fourth place. For the men, Roger Morley again proved an inspiration to younger athletes by taking fifth in the A triple jump (9.21), and fourth in both the A discus (16.42) and A hammer (12.50). Mike Hunter competed in the B discus, scoring valuable points with his third place (10.06). James Colbeck and Hashim Shah teamed up in the shot putt, with James taking fourth in the A (7.83) and Hashim third in the B (5.90). James followed this with a fifth place in the A javelin (25.25). In the high jump, Sam Brooks, another up and coming youngster making his senior debut, took sixth in the A event (1.40).

In the women’s 4x100m relays, Bury’s team of Viola, Marina, Chelsey and Charlotte ran out as convincing winners of the A race (59.6). For the men, Bury’s team of Hashim, Matt, Mike and Sam took third place behind the strong Trafford and Pendle teams (49.1).

For the 4x400m relays, the women and men matched their respective positions in the 4 x100m. The women’s team of Laura, Viola, Nicola and Christie finished well clear of second-placed Stockport, recording 4.18.1. For the men, Benn Heywood joined Ben, Matt and Rob to take third place in a respectable 3.40.6.

Bury finished in fourth place overall on the day. Frustratingly, had there been more competitors scoring points in the events were the team failed to field any athletes, then second place was well within the club’s grasp.

Next week, Bury’s athletes will compete in the Northern Counties Track and Field Championships at Sportscity and the Greater Manchester Schools Championships at Stretford.