NEWHAM & ESSEX BEAGLES MEN became the strongest UK club on the track & field and cross-country since the beginning of 2009. Arguably Belgrave are still the force on the road and Woodford Green & Essex Ladies won the Jo Smith Cup (BAL) at Copthall for selected top clubs on the 8th of August but the 'All Important' British League Premier Division, easily the strongest top club has been Newham & Essex Beagles
writes Alastair Aitken.
BOB SMITH the Manager of the teams said " We have won seven consecutive matches.. We are trying to find out what the record is. It can not mathematically be more than 10. We think, possibly, seven consecutive wins is as many as any team achieved!
What has made Newham & Essex Beagles so good?
' I think in any given year it can switch very quickly. In some events you can think, we are a bit weak this year and 12 months later the other clubs become weaker and you have become strong. It can switch round very quickly.
I think about three years ago we knew we had some weak events and we picked up one or two people and all of a sudden it slotted into place.We had a core of people who come out each year. People like Mark Findlay, Andre Fernandez, and Simon Bown who has missed only one British League match in 12 years. This is a low maintenance athlete who is there and always scoring your points. If you value what they are doing, look after them properly and just add to it, you are always going to get some turnover. At the moment it is a very stable team and we are having a lot of fun.'
'It is a strange thing because it is an individual sport but it is a lot more fun going to matches and winning than finishing last.'
At the Jo Smith Cup at Copthall I got a chance to talk to Newham & Essex one lap runner IWAN THOMAS,who is the British record holder with 44.36, which he did in July 1997and Ex-European and Commonwealth Champion.
All those years later he was 4th in the 'A' race at Copthall in 48.01 which was the fastest by an over 35 runner in the UK this year so far.
" I retired ages ago so, just enjoy it but it is the first time I have run a race on the track all year, as I don't really train much. Just fit to do the London Marathon BUTNewham & Essex Beagles mean a lot to me and Tony Shiret in the club was really good to me at the beginning of my career so, if the club ask me to turn out I will do it. I even did a triple jump for them a few years ago'
Obviously Iwan has a love of athletics:- " I just wish I had not had injuries in my career and wish I was a bit younger but when Tony ever asks me to turn out for the club I'll always do it.'
In his race at Copthall " The first 200 was great but the rest hurt. I am fit because of the London Marathon but last year I ran for the club in every British League because I trained a little bit. This year I have not trained but it is still in my legs from last year. I am not too unfit but I can't expect to win against young guys." (Jo Smith 400 'A' First three 1. Brian Gregan (19) 46.26, 2 Graham Hedman (30) 46.49 and 3 Steve Johnson (23) 47.80.)
A NEW KID ON THE BLOCK FOR NEWHAM & ESSEX BEAGLES
ROBBIE SCHOFIELD coached by Don Lennon, The English Schools Champion in 1:50.38. He won the Under 20 and 23 Championships over the 800 at Bedford in June in 1:49.82.
" Till this year my best was 1:52.98.'
He is only 18 years of age(Born 14th of December 1990)
"This year running well it is a step up totally for me. I am going to Loughborough to study physics in September/October time. As far as my running is concerned I feel it is all about progression. To build and build and then go to the major Championships. Regarding his European Junior Championships in Serbia in late July ( 3rd in heat 1:51.19, 3rd Semi Final 1:50.31 and 5th in the Final in 1:50.07).
" I won the European Junior Trials in 1:49.82 Then I went to Serbia and I was 5th in the Final and I was 'Over the moon with that'
On his improvement this year since last year it shows he obviously has a bright future and his Father Peter, although not into sport in a big way, will enjoy supporting him and taking more photographs as he did at Copthall.