Men’s League – Grangemouth – 24 June 2018

Jun 26, 2018

Central Athletic Club’s men’s team were at Grangemouth Stadium for the third and penultimate meeting of this season’s Scottish Division One Track and Field League, held in warm but blustery conditions. Once again all of Central’s athletes gave of their best and with many of Scotland’s top athletes on show for opposition clubs, Central had to settle for sixth on the day, with the team now in fourth place overall in the league.

Lewis Millar in close order in the 5,000 Metres

Lewis Millar (3) in close order in the 5,000 Metres

The first track event, the 400 Metre Hurdles, saw David Lindsay in ‘A’ string action finishing fifth with a determined 67.79 seconds clocking, while Ruaridh Miller stepped into the ‘B’ event with a second place in a tasty 63.54. The 800 Metres was a high class affair so congratulations to Jack Kerr coming home with a personal best of 2 minutes 00.79 seconds in seventh. It was left to David Lindsay to take responsibility for the ‘B’ race, here also in personal best territory with 2:15.27 in sixth. There was also top quality sprinting on show again from all clubs in the Division with Kieran Halliday finishing a close-up eighth place in the ‘A’ 100 Metres with an improved 11.72, backed up by Ian McDonald taking seventh ‘B’ place in a season’s best 12.09. Michael Wright and Ruaridh Miller were always to the fore in the 3,000 Metre Steeplechase clocking 9:47.72 and 10:00.43 respectively to score excellent points with third ‘A’ and second ‘B’ placings. Tom Chandler looked good as he sped to a tasty 15.67 in finishing a close-up third in the 110 Metre Hurdles. Tom continued his busy day as he was soon back on the track in the 400 Metres, running 52.33 for fifth ‘A’ place. The 1,500 Metres saw yet another personal best from Jack Kerr with 4:11.80 in fifth ‘A’ place while Dale Colley stuck in well to finish fifth ‘B’ in 4:35.26 scooping up more useful points for the Central team. The 200 Metre series had Under-20 Kieran Halliday back in action finishing in eighth ‘A’ place in an improved 23.81 and back-up here from Sean Reilly, taking to the track for the first time in four years, in seventh ‘B’ place with 25.21. Lewis Millar was drafted into the team at short notice and ran a well-judged 5,000 Metres finishing fourth ‘A’ with 16:24.78 while Fraser Logan put his hay fever woes to one side with a determined run of 16:40.25 for second ‘B’ points.

Jack Kerr in relay action

Jack Kerr in relay action

In the field the throwing duties were covered by Graham Porterfield and Ron Todd. Graham threw out to 32.05 metres in the Javelin with Ron throwing 27.57 metres. Graham then produced a best of 30.72 metres in the Discus with Ron‘s top throw here 26.91 metres. The Hammer saw Graham out to a best of 35.47 metres while Ron again achieved further points with 23.48 metres. The Shot Put showed Graham at his best with his 11.66 metres effort taking fourth ‘A’ place, backed-up by Ron’s 7.75 effort. The Pole Vault had Tom Chandler pitted against multiple Scottish International Jax Thoirs, and Tom’s impressive 4.05 metres clearance take second ‘A’ points while Ron Todd was first ‘B’, clearing 3.00 metres. Under-17 athletes Daniel Bruce and Daniel Ferguson were experiencing their first taste of Men’s League action with both youngsters stepping up to the plate. Daniel Bruce’s 1.60 metres High Jump clearance produced much needed points for the team. In the Long Jump, Daniel Bruce reached an impressive 5.42 metres while Daniel Ferguson’s 5.15 metre effort proved to be an outdoor personal best. Daniel Ferguson then moved into new territory with his first ever Triple Jump competition, achieving excellent fifth ‘A’ points with a best effort of 10.97 metres.

The 4 x 100 Metre quartet of Daniel Ferguson, Kieran Halliday, Tom Chandler and Sean Reilly brought the baton home in seventh in a useful 46.15. A much changed 4 x 400 Metre quartet of Michael Wright, Dale Colley, Sean Reilly and Jack Kerr held on well throughout to record 3:45.90 in sixth place. The Guest 100 Metres saw Daniel Ferguson clock an impressive 11.76 in second place in his race.

As always there was great back-up from the Club’s officials through Stuart MacFarlane as a Field Judge, John Dickson as Track Judge plus Tom McMenemy and Bill Gault on Timekeeping duties. The final match of the season is in Kilmarnock on Sunday 26 August.