Saturday saw the first fixture in this year’s YDL Lower competition take place on a bright sunny day at Blackburn.

Overall we finished 3rd which is a good sold start to the season despite a couple of late withdrawals and with a few athletes yet to come into the team.

With 39 new PB’s it was a great start to the season, especially with those helping out in events that they tend not to concentrate on.

Our special thanks must go to those who helped officiate. The sport would not be able to function without those who volunteer to officiate, so a big thank you to Diana, Chris, Gavin, Jess, Dave and Neil.

As ever, picking out the highlights isn't easy, top 3 placings are mentioned below, but remember that all contribute to the match result and each individual performance is vital to the success of the team.

U13b With only 5 lads available on the day, they all made admiral efforts. Max 1st in 800m(A), 2nd in both 100m (b) & Shot (A); Ethan was 1st 1200m(B) and 3rd 200m (A); James on YDL debut 2nd 200m (B) & 800m(B) as well as 3rd Long Jump (B); Matthew 1st 1200m(A). Joseph, James, Matthew and Ethan combined to finish 3rd in 4x100m Relay.

U13g This has been the strongest team in the last few seasons, but the likes of Nicola, Trez & Halle have moved up to u15, so we were looking to see who’d step into their shoes. Zara 1st 75m (A), 150m (A); Isabelle 1st 800m (A) 2nd 75m (B); Millie 2nd 1200m(B), 3rd 150m (B); Olivia on YDL debut 1st 800m(B); Elena, another on YDL debut 2nd 1200m(A); Imogen 2nd Shot (B); Maya, Millie, Isabelle and Zara combined to finish 3rd in 4x100m Relay.

U15b Again with the core of last year’s team having moved up to u17 and the upper league, the lads did very well, with quite a few debuts too. Elliot 1st Long Jump (B), 3rd 200m(B); Charlie 2nd 800m (A) 3rd 300m (A); Jonny 1st 300m(B), 800m(B), 2nd HJ (B); Jack on YDL debut 1st 1500m (A); Samuel 1st 1500m(B); Louis 2nd HJ (A), 3rd Hurdles, Long Jump. The 4x100m team of Samuel, Charlie, Louis and Elliot finished 2nd, while the 4x300m team of Samuel, Louis G on YDL debut, Jack and Jonny had a very convincing victory.

U15g Probably where we are strongest. Trezeguet continued her remarkable sequence of finishing every sprint in YDL with a Grade 1 performance (now stretches to 18 races) with 1st 100m (A) and a rare 2nd 200m(B); Halle 1st 100m (B), High Jump (A), Long Jump (A); Christie on YDL debut 2nd 300m (A); Erin 1st 800m (B), 2nd 300m (B); Emily R 2nd 800m (A); Amelia 2nd 1500m (A); Nicola 1st 1500m (B); Grace 2nd Long Jump (B); Neve 1st High Jump (B); Emily P 3rd Shot (A), Javelin (A). Neve, Halle, Grace and Trezeguet combined for 2nd in 4x100m relay, while Erin, Isobel, Emily and Christie also finished 2nd in 4x300m relay.

There were an impressive 39 personal bests and 28 graded performances, including 3 of the precious Grade 1’s

A big thank you to Mike for the photos - https://www.facebook.com/pg/Trafford.athletic.club/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1090545607751804

The next match is on May 19th when we have home advantage.

Full results are available on YDL website http://www.ukydl.org.uk/Match%201_North_West%201_LAG.pdf

And Power of 10 - http://www.powerof10.info/results/results.aspx…