Track & Field Report from HWAC Masters 2018

Unfortunately the first match and our home fixture was cancelled due to high winds and driving rain - this meant that the season was short, just 3 matches. Hercules Wimbledon men were optimistic that they would be able to make it 3 League wins in a row…. However, the first two matches saw the club narrowly losing out to Epsom & Ewell 146-152, and 153-159. There were a few wasted points but the points were lost in the jumps where we were simply weaker than in previous seasons. Very few points were lost in the sprints at Epsom and Walton thanks to strong performances from Dominic Bokor-Ingram, Hamed Igcoke, Mike Amsden, Mark White and Charles Lawrie. The 800m also saw HWAC dominance with wins from Dominic, Esmond Ferns, Peter Giles and Richard Clarke, and 2nd places from Richard McDowell, Matt de Freitas and Malcolm Davies.

But at both of the two opening matches the 3km and 5km lost big points with no runner available in 3 of the 8 events, which diluted the excellence of Richard McDowell’s 1st and 2nd places, and Richard Clarke’s x2 2nd places and Ben Revill’s 2nd place… In the throws we had good points with John Webster and David Orchard taking maximum points on 2 occasions each. Max points were also taken in the 4x400m and 4x200m relays.

So with the season so short it was only mathematically possible for HWAC men to sneak ahead of E&E in the League and that would require on Epsom to drop to 3rd place. This was not the case HWAC scored a massive win 175 points to E&E’s 2nd placed 149 points. Winners were: Mike Amsden 100m/400m , Dominic Bokor-Ingram 400m, Justin Reid 1500m, Malcolm Davies 1500m, Peter Giles 1500m, Victor Ray 2km walk, Tor-Ivar Guttulsrod 2km walk, Stuart Milton Sp/JT, and the 4x100m relay team.

The men ended the season feeling a little deflated not to have won - but the truth is Men’s Track and Field is still strong and health at HWAC.

The Women’s Track & Field continues to go from strength to strength. Only a few years ago it was possible to count on one hand the women competing - now we have started to fill almost all of the events thanks to an influx of enthusiastic, give anything a go athletes from Wimbledon Windmilers and Stragglers and returning athletes from within the club.

HWAC Women failed to win or be 2nd in just one event on the track! (3rd) Emile Bokor Ingram 5 wins and a 2nd, Helen Davies 3 wins, Lisa Thomas 6 wins, Anna Garnier 4 wins, 3 2nds, Anne Michaels one 2nd, Vikki Filsell 2 wins, Gina Galbraith 2 wins…. AND a 4x100m victory too!

In the field Maria Kirkbride scored valuable points including a win in HJ 2nd twice in TJ, Candice Dunn was 1st DT and 2nd in TJ.

Overall this was a fabulous effort from the HWAC Women and in the end a solid 2nd place in the League. At this rate 2019 could be the year when both the Men and Women win the SCVAC London South Division.

Finally a word as always to the Officials, Helpers, Supporters who continue to make these events happens - THANK YOU.

David Orchard