23rd August 2017
RUGBY & NORTHAMPTON CLINCH PROMOTION ON HOME SOIL
Athletics club to compete in Division 2 next season
Rugby & Northampton secured promotion to Division 2 of the British Athletics League, courtesy of a second-placed finish in the final match of the season, held at Rugby last weekend.
After a great effort throughout the season, and with several top performers not available for the match, the team improved their position throughout the afternoon, going on to clinch a remarkable second straight promotion.
On the track, there were A string successes in the 200m, 400m and 800m for the club, with Kyle Ennis (21.70), Aidan Leeson (48.70) and Adam Wright (1:52.60) claiming the respective top honours.
Ennis – also a 100m winner in the B string (10.70) – was also part of the triumphant 4x100m relay team, joining forces with Adel Sesay, James Wright and Clinton Osoba George to take first place in 42.50, half a second clear of the field.
Harry Salt completed the track triumphs; a time of 16.10 was enough to give him victory in the B string 110m hurdles.
There were plenty more impressive performances, with Caleb Downes (10.90) second in the 100m, along with third-placed finishes for Osoba George (200m B – 23.30), Joshua Faulds (400m hurdles – 55.10) and Theo Walkley-Bartlett (110m hurdles – 16.00).
Team success extended to the field with Craig Murch’s hammer throw of 66.03 easing him to a huge win. Leon Bailey beat the javelin competition with a distance of 51.86m, and R&N completed the double thanks to Kevin Murch, who threw 49.06 to win the B string event – and it was this double achievement which guaranteed the club promotion.
Alex Hamling took top spot too, in the B string discus – his throw of 39.77 enough for first. Matthew Twigg was another to finish in the top three, taking third in the A string discus (41.49) and second in the B string shot put (11.85).
