[Not a valid template]In the National Auxiliary Final in Birmingham, North Down boys got off to a slow start but made up ground to collect 9 medals. With the new league format of total scoring across boys’ and girls’ teams, North Down were twinned with Lagan Valley, winners of the NI Girls’ League who also won 9 medals. The joint team finished 8th with both teams having large gaps as the start of the NI school year sparked a competition for talented sportspeople from winter games. The new format appeared to have had the effect of pushing some major English clubs down into the Auxiliary final and medals were very hard to get.
U15’s were the most successful and they had much fewer gaps than the U17’s who were severely affected by missing athletes and the ones who did travel deserve many thanks, some of them missing important selection matches for other sports. So do the U13’s who were nearly all P7 and frankly out-muscled but that will right itself with a vengeance in a years time. Lagan Valley U13 girls were great and won 5 medals.
[Not a valid template]North Down medal winners were
U15 Mark Atkinson A 200m 3rd 24.21: Peter Wickens A shot 3rd 12.94: Ben McDonnell B hammer 1st 25.96: Karl Brown (official result is wrong) B discus 3rd 23.83
U17 Jordan Neil A 3000m 3rd 9.12.84: Peter Glass A high jump 2nd 1.80 and A 100m hurdles 3rd (blanket finish) 13.81: Scott McCauley B 100m hurdles 15.05: Mark McClean (official result is wrong and has them the wrong way round) B long jump 3rd 5.60
Personal bests were far too numerous to list here.
The boys were a great team and battled throughout whether things went well or otherwise and it was a pleasure to be with them. Thanks are also due to the coaching team with special mention of the youthful trio of Heather, Richard and Jeremy and to the travelling parents who mucked in and blended into the team.