Blackheath & Bromley were National Junior Athletic League champions in 2010 and victory in their opening 2011 fixture at Eton suggests it will not be easy for anyone to relieve them of the title. They won the match with 561 points, 26.5 more than hosts Windsor, with Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers in third on 517. No other Clubs got more than 400 points.

There were many individual winners with the most notable being that of new second claim member Pippa Woolven. Not only did she win the 1500 metres steeplechase but she also broke the League record with a time of 4.59.48. Her reward was the female “Athlete of the Match” award for what is the fastest time in the country so far this year and considering she tripped on one barrier and the windy conditions, she will undoubtedly go quicker.

Remarkably following her race she joined Rachel Robinson, Yimika Adewakun, and Danielle Critchley in the winning womens 4x400 metres relay team. The quartet of Georgina Middleton, Amara Lalemi Jacobs, Grace Sheppard and Dina Asher Smith had earlier won the short sprint relay in 47.57.

Dina may only be a first year under 17, and thus running against women up to four years her senior, but this did not prevent her from winning the 100 metres in 12.50; and Adam Gemili secured the mens 100 in 10.99 into the teeth of a -5.5 metre per second headwind.

It was a double A string win in the long jump with new second claimer Oliver Newport winning the mens event with a leap of 6.74 and Sarah Abrams taking the womens event with a leap of 5.95.

James Allen and Lauren Stevens made this a most fruitful event for the Club as they won both B strings.

Likewise Emilie Blackwell and Naomi Lee won both strings of the womens pole vault; Jonathan Ilori and Joe Lawrence both triple jumps; Bens Hopkins and Parkin the 400 hurdles; Sam Milner and Ellie Duffy Penny both discus strings and Rachel Dickens and Krystal Galley both 400s.

Sam Milner was the only B&B athlete to win two A string events as she also won the shot with a distance of 11.08.

Rachels time of 55.75 is the second quickest by an under 20 this year despite her still being an under 17.

Phil Sesemann enjoyed a good win in the 1500 metres.

There were plenty of other good performances from Club members and further details and pictures can be found at www.bandbhac.org.uk The Club hosted one of the first round of fixtures of the newly formed Southern Athletics League, a new joint scoring Senior Mens and Womens competition, which allows under 20s and under 17s to take part.

Despite home advantage the Club missed out on victory, losing to Marshall Milton Keynes by a mere three points. Frustratingly had the Club had athletes in all events they would have won the match comfortably.

At each fixture, the Club awards its own male and female Athlete of the Match and on this occasion the recipients came from the upper end of the age scale. Maureen Miller, who is an over 45, took the womens nomination for her efforts in the 400, 200 and both relays. Steve Timmins has just returned to the Sport but he improves with age. He won the Hammer and shot competitions with new bests of 48.58 and 13.06 and also set a new best of 37.06 in the discus.

There were plenty of other worthy efforts from those competing. Busiest for the men was Alex Pope who as well as winning the 110 hurdles, competed in the high and long jumps, all four throws and the 100 metres.

Bomene Barikor won the 200 metres and achieved runners up spots in the 100 and 400 before contributing legs in both relays. He also did the high jump. Mark Longhurst jumped an impressive 4.52 in the pole vault but is looking for more. Liz Hughes was pleased to clear 3.60 with her new 14 foot pole. Russell Bentley and Shavaun Henry blew away some early season cobwebs as they won the mens and womens 1500 metres, while back in the field Hayley Nouch won the triple jump.

Youngest A string winner of the day was Rhiannon Jones who, still an under 17, made her debut in the 400 hurdles, and was a class apart.

Similarly undaunted at competing against Senior opposition Anna Huggins won the B pole vault, Jessica Moore the B triple jump; and James Allen was just outside his best in the long jump. Hope Stenning contributed a solid 400 metre leg in the relay after competing in the 800 and Bruno Myszka-Reder helped the mens 4x100 to third place.

Will Mercer and Ben Cockburn made their debuts over 5000 metres.

On the roads Mark Steinle was the runaway winner as the Club hosted its annual Ted Pepper 10km road race at Beckenham. While not in serious training, Britain’s fastest Marathon runner this Century was still too good for the field leading from start to finish and closing with a time of 33.26. He may be looking to race on the roads again soon and has not ruled out running some cross country races next Winter as he has some spikes he bought over five years ago that he still hasn’t used.

Jamie Darling was next home in 5th with youngsters Will Mercer, Ross Braden and Rob Yates closing in 10th, 12th and 14th.

Fran Green was the second woman to finish in 30th place in 40.52 with Clare Drake 37th and Julie Reynolds 53rd.

Adrian Stocks may not have been the quickest runner on the day but for the second year running he won the award for the biggest smile of the day.

Ross Braden had been in action two days previously at the latest Bromley 5km Parkrun at Norman Park where he was the Club’s first finisher in third place with a time of 18.11. Another youngster Harry Phelps was 13th and youth triumphed again over experience further down the field as Bailey Stickings took the scalp of super veteran Ken Daniel beating him by four seconds.

First woman to finish was Jessica Keene in 31st with Niamh Bridson Hubbard 66th and Isobel Vowles 80th.

Andy Rayner was a comfortable winner of the Folkestone 10 mile road race the previous weekend. His time of 53.50 was nearly a minute quicker than the runner up.

Back on the track Peter Hannell finished in 10th place in the Vets AC and Surrey County 10km at Battersea Park. He timed one hour, one minute and 58.2 seconds a performance that gave him third place in the County Championships and second over 65 in the Vets AC Championships.

Blackheath & Bromley caters for all ages, abilities and disciplines. For further information on your particular interest please e-mail enquiries@bandbhac.org.uk Alternatively leave details on the Club answer phone service on 020 8462 3115.

For all the latest Club news visit the website at www.bandbhac.org.uk