Holmfirth Harriers performed well in their final Northern League match of the season and secured their status in Division II for 2014.
Conditions were warm and blustery which meant that times and distances were of less importance than the points gained – and Holmfirth responded magnificently to the task.
In the Sprint events, former English Schools champion Jordan Toth was in good form to win the 100m and 200m ‘A’ races with times of 11.1 and 22.9sec respectively. He was joined by Faisal Shah in the 100m who finished 4th in the ‘B’ race in 12.4sec.
Will Lander gained valuable points in the ‘B’ 200m event with a time of 24.2.sec. Simon Findlay was involved in a very competitive 400m ‘A’ race, crossing the line in fifth place in 54.9sec to pick up valuable team points, while Jake Richardson gave good support in the ‘B’ race with 62.3sec.
Lauren Storr competed in the ‘A’ 100m crossing the line in third to record a time of 13.5sec. She was ably supported by Harriet Goodison, who has made massive improvements this season, crossing in 13.3sec before achieving a personal best of 27.3sec in the ‘A’ 200m.
Harriet’s best performance, however, was a superb second in the ‘A’ 400m with 61.2sec. Cara Penfold, a great team player, picked up valuable points in the ‘B’ 400m.
Edward Saxton made his debut for the Senior team in the long jump. With his opening jump of 5.70m he took maximum points with a fine win. Unfortunately, having landed awkwardly, he had to withdraw from further competition with a knee injury.
Robert Hinchliffe-Smith supported in the long jump, but his best performance came in the high jump, setting a splendid new PB of 1.60m. He was joined in the triple jump by James Dewhirst and both finished fourth with distances of 10.60m and 10.00m respectively.
It was great to see Holmfirth’s top female high jumpers, Aideen Farrell and Naomi Harvey-Franklin, renewing their rivalry.
Aideen had the edge over Naomi with 9.39m against 9.20m in the triple jump, but the tables were turned in the high jump with Naomi clearing 1.40m compared with Aideen’s 1.25m.
In the long jump, Aideen was given solid support by Ruby Sykes, jumping 4.45m and 4.30m respectively.
In the women’s pole vault, Katie Franklin soared over 1.90m to set a new personal best, while Aideen Farrell cleared 1.70m. Both finished second.
Lauren Storr made a welcome return in the 100m hurdles, finishing almost two seconds ahead of the rest of the field in 15.6sec. Naomi Harvey Franklin was third in the ‘B’ event, setting a new PB in 18.5sec.
Naomi also had a splendid run in the ‘A’ 400m to finish third in 71.3sec. She was ably supported by Aideen Farrell in fourth (77.1sec).Jake Richardson showed great determination in the men’s hurdles events, setting PBs in both the 110m and 400m with times of 23.4sec and 68.2sec.
Robert Hinchliffe-Smith ran well to record 25.1sec in the 110m and 71.3sec in the 400m.
The club’s distance athletes were in form. Simon Findlay in the 800m found the going tough, finishing fifth in the ‘A’ in 2min 03.2sec. He was supported by Steven Eastwood, a valuable acquisition, who ran strongly to finish third in the ‘B’ race in 2-9.09. Steven was in action later in the day in the 1500m with Richard Smith, both finishing fourth in their races.
Richard Smith produced a splendid win in the ‘A’ 3000m steeplechase in a time of 10-07.2sec, while Phill Hewitt gave excellent support with his win in the ‘B’ race in 11-12.20sec.
Dave Turnbull ran another strong race to finish second in the 5000m in 15-42.90sec, while top veteran Dave Watson ensured good points for the event with his second place in the ‘B’ race in 16-12.60sec.
The women’s distance athletes also had a good day. Sophie Spencer stepped up to the 800m to clock 2-28.4sec and take second place, ably supported by Ruby Sykes who won the ‘B’ event in 2-29.50sec.
Maggie Sykes and Lucy Farquhar both had splendid runs to finish 2nd ‘A’ and ‘B’ in the 3000m with times of 10-44.40 and 11-30.00. Claire Leaver ran well to record 5-07.60 and Ruby Sykes 5-10.20 in the 1500m.
The club’s throws athletes continue to dominate the top point-scorer board with Adrian Smith taking top spot with 64 points. He was joined by veteran Andy Storr, both taking fourth place in the hammer with distances of 21.22m and 18.02m respectively. Their best performance, however, was their fifth ‘A’ and fourth ‘B’ place in the shot. Smith also recorded 27m in the javelin with Dave Watson finishing third in the ‘B’ event.
Katie Zientek and Katie Franklin once again contributed a large proportion of the team points total with their 48 points.
Zientek took third in the ‘A’ discus with 23.28m, while Franklin won the ‘B’ event with 22.66m, a 6m improvement.
Zientek was also third in the ‘A’ Javelin with 26.33m, with Franklin again won the ‘B’ event with 25.79m. In the hammer, Adrienne Dewhirst supported well finishing third ‘B’ with a distance of 15.29m.
In the relays, Holmfirth athletes were up against sprint specialists. They all worked hard on their respective legs to gain as many points as possible.
The highlight came in the Women’s 4 x 100m when Naomi Harvey-Franklin, Aideen Farrell, Harriet Goodison and Lauren Storr stormed round to set a new club record in 52.9sec to finish third.
Managers John McFadzean and Adrienne Dewhirst, time keepers Kevin Johns and Alwyn Dewhirst, track judge John Buckingham, field judges Richard Szostac, Andy Storr, Cara Penfold, Samantha Tingey, James Dewhirst, Adrienne Dewhirst, and John McFadzean all played a valuable part gaining maximum officiating points to add to the total.
After 37 events, Holmfirth were in second place with 357 points behind Blackburn Harriers on 399. Seaton finished third on 352 and Blackpool fourth on 339.
League positions were Blackburn Harriers 24, Holmfirth 15, Seaton 14, Bury 11, Blackpool 10, Rossendale 10.
Men’s Top Point Scorers: 1 Adrian Smith (64), 2 Robert Hinchliffe-Smith (63), 3 Jake Richardson (50).
Women’s Top Point Scorers: 1 Katie Zientek (98), 2 Katie Franklin (87), 3 Naomi Harvey-Franklin and Aideen Farrell (73).
