Women's Jubilee Cup 2001: Semi-Final, Wood Green

Teams: 1 Belgrave H 117; 2 Birchfield H 114.5; 3 Epsom & Ewell H 81.5; 4 Walton AC 78.5; 5 Woodford Green & Essex Ladies 76; 6 Team Solent 66; 7 Aldershot Farnham & District AC 63.5; 8 Bournemouth AC 47.

The weather was cold and wet but spirits were oh! so high as the Belgrave women’s team made history in qualifying for the Jubilee Cup final for the first time in the Club’s history. Not only did they qualify – they turned on a shock win to beat Birchfield Harriers and Epsom Ewell H.

A total of six first places paved the way for this team victory. Hannah Stares stormed ahead in the 400m hurdles to clock her best time of 60.5 with Rachel King performing equally strongly in the sprint hurdles. A tactical race gave Maria Sharpe victory in the 1500m – a terrific run as she had been in action the previous evening in the BMC Grand Prix at Watford.

Wins on the field came from Sylvia Cruz in the javelin, 43.99, Maureen Knight in the high jump, 1.65, and Shelley Drew who spun the discus out to 57.10m. For Maureen the high jump was just one of three events that she undertook in spite of suffering from a heavy cold.

Personal best performances came from Shelley Drew, who moved up to an impressive 12.17m in the shot, and Syreeta Stracey, who has been running so well over 400m and 1500m this summer but this time improved her 3000m best. Another to impress was young Amala Onuoro; her run in the 100m came the day after she won the Sussex Schools Intermediate title in a record 12.2.

The only disappointment was Lucy Webber's decision not to vault. Having initially elected to enter at 3.40m, the weather conditions and lack of strong pole meant that Lucy decided not to risk injury and she pulled out. Fortunately, this didn't impact our final position.

Two Club Records bit the dust – and both of them relays. The previous 4 x 100m best had stood for no less than 14 years – but what’s the betting that this new mark doesn’t last much more than 14 days!

All in all it was a terrific team performance and we look forward to finals day with real anticipation – a men’s and women’s team competing together at Bedford on July 21st.

100m: 3 A.Onuoru 12.4. 200m: 2 J.Culley 25.0. 400m: 2 J.Culley 55.1. 800m: V.Goodwin 2.20.4. 1500m: 1 M.Sharp 4.37.3. 3000m: 5 S.Stracey 11.19.0. 100mH: 1 R.King 13.7. 400mH: 1 H.Stares 60.5. HJ: 1 M.Knight 1.65. LJ: 4 M.Knight 5.07. TJ: 4 M.Knight 10.77. PV: Lucy Webber dnj. SP: 4 S.Drew 12.17. DT: 1 S.Drew 57.10. JT: 1 S.Cruz 43.99. HT: 3 D.Holden 52.19.

4x100 2 Belgrave 48.3 (R.King, J.Culley, M.Nestor, A.Onuoru). 4x400m: 3 Belgrave (H.Stares 60.1, V.Goodwin 60.8, E.Eharuyi 57.1, J.Culley 56.3)

Restored from the club's earlier website, belgraveharriers.com, and published here as originally written.