Europe Champion Clubs Cup Day 2

[Not a valid template] [Not a valid template][Not a valid template]Michael Dyer and Jordan Neil showed the way on day 2. Michael led through the bell in 58 secs – before holding 2nd at 200m and then leading with 50m to go. A blanket finish and a dip from Michael got him 2nd (1:53.45) and a few useful scalps to boot. Less fortunate was Jordan who fell in a tight leading bunch of 6 with just 500m to go – but got back up and hammered the last lap to move up to 3rd (8:40.18). Swirling winds did the throwers no favours and all distances were down across the fields. Heavy rain showers affected the 3K, TJ & JAV. Richard Lockhart threw 41.67 for 8th in his first competition after a bad back injury. Michael McConkey threw 58:00 for 6th in Jav. Jeremy Harper 5th 47.38 Discus. Brendan McConville 5th eq 4.60 PV. John Saulters 23.23 8th 200. Tom Reynolds 7th 15:52 110H (-3.6w). Francis Marsh 5th 3ks/chase 10.09.5. 4×400 5th 3:20.99 (club record).

Sunday was not a day to make the Algarve Tourist Board proud. Even before the rain, the unpredictable wind caused havoc. Brendan missed his first vault at his opening 4.60m which was to prove costly. He failed at 4.80m but so did all the field bar two leading to a 5 way countback from which he emerged in the middle tied for 5th. Ben had been down for triple jump but was pulled as the compulsory 13m board was deemed too risky. Subsequent sodden conditions justified the decision.

Francis used his pace judgement to good effect to get 6th at 5000m and 5th at steeplechase, less than 16 hours apart. He looked stranded at the back of the field but worked his way through to get the best placings possible.