Southern Athletics League - Match 4 at Sandy

The South Bucks team confirmed its place at the top of Division 3 North with a fourth consecutive win at the final match at Sandy on Saturday 13th. The new composite in the Southern Athletics League of athletes from Wycombe Phoenix and Chiltern Harriers has proved successful in 2022, and next year should see promotion to the round-robin based Division 2 West.
 
There were eight Chiltern athletes taking part at an extremely hot Sandy and they contributed to a team score of 310, well ahead of Luton on 173, Biggleswade on 150, Northampton on 135, Maidenhead on 119, and Aylesbury on 7. Sue Slade and Anne Underwood supplied some top level officiating at the match, crucial to keep the league going.
 
U17 Mila Luker had a good day, second in A string 100m in 13.4 and second in A string long jump with a PB of 4.90m. In 800m U17 Lesedi Nkoane had her first track race of the season and was third in A string in 2.34.7 and U20 Charlotte Docwra won B string in 2.35.3. Vet 45 Bex Nkoane had a good run to be third in A string 1500m in 5.22.5.  Mila was in the victorious 4 x 100m team.
 
On the men’s side Senior Men Richard Slade in 9.00.3, and Aran Davidson in 9.02.8, won A and B string 3000m respectively. Ethan McCall was second in B string 800m in 2.13.8 and Matt Evans had a great run in 800m non-scoring to score a PB of 2.09.8. Ethan was in the mixed 4 x 400m relay team that was second.
 
The SAL has seen twenty-five Chiltern athletes contribute to the South Bucks teams across the four matches, ranging from U17s and U20s up through seniors and veterans. All have enjoyed a good level of competition and friendly atmospheres at all the matches.
 
Next year should see a step-up in the standard and number of athletes competing, as the team comes up against strong clubs established in the league.