Both Teams Lead in Team Trophy

North Down took the lead in both Team Trophies, men and women, when Part 1 took place in a low key affair at Antrim on Wednesday evening. As forecast, the good weather ended in a cold and wet affair. The Northern Ireland 4 x 100m Championships were incorporated into the meeting resulting in a gold medal for the men (Pete Glass, Brendan McConville, Kenny Elliot, Ben Reynolds) and a bronze one for the women (Stacey Johnston, Gemma McAnirn, Melissa Free, Kim Shaw).

Apart from the weather the North Down teams were limited by school and university exams as well as the heavy current fixture list and this seemed to be the case elsewhere. Just as well really as the current shortage of officials, particularly in the field, reached crisis point. The mens team were handicapped by not contesting pole vault (cancelled) or long jump (clashed) but it didn"t seem to matter. Jeremy Harper and Brendan were 1-2 at shot as were Pete and Jeremy at javelin and Ben and Pete were 1-3 at high jump. Add in  the relay win and 2nd at 1500m from John Carlisle  plus a 4th from Stuart Brown at 100m and it was more than enough.

The girls had to work a bit harder in order to overcome a strong challenge from the Lisburn team aka Geraldine. Kiki Malomo Paris won the 100m but with a suspect ankle played no further part. Kim and Gemma were 2-3 at long jump, Melissa and Gemma were 3-4 at javelin and 3-5 at shot, Kim and Melissa (Mel and Kim sounds better) were 2-4 at high jump and Kim and Stacey had 4th"s at 400m and 1500m. So far, job done.