Andy blows hot in 400m (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Andy blows hot in 400m

9:10am Saturday 13th June 2009 in

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BASINGSTOKE and Mid-Hants’ men’s team made a solid start to life in British Athletics League National Division One, finishing fourth at the opening meeting of the season.

Having been promoted to the second tier at the end of last season, Basingstoke knew they would be up against it during their home meeting, held at Abingdon, near Oxford, on Saturday.

However, despite being up against top clubs like Belgrave Harriers and Windsor, Slough, Eton and Hounslow, Ian Byett’s side did not look out of place, winning three events on the way to fourth place overall.

Andy Blow was the star of the show, winning the 400m hurdles in a time of 52.48sec before claiming a second victory of the afternoon alongside Louis Sellers, Richard Fox and Mark Berridge in the 4x400m. Robert Kite was the other Basingstoke winner, leaping to victory in the B long jump.

Basingstoke athletes also claimed five second place finishes. Tony Higbee was runner-up in the 110m hurdles and Ben Moreau achieved the same position in the 5,000m, while John Hutchins was second in the B 1,500m and Fox claimed silver in the B 110m hurdles and B 400m hurdles.

In addition, Phil Tulba achieved a season’s best in finishing third in the 1,500m, while Simon Williams claimed bronze in the B shot and B discus.

Multi-eventer Ben Hazell had a busy afternoon, finishing fourth in the discus, fifth in the shot, sixth in the long jump and seventh in the javelin.

Overall, Basingstoke athletes featured in the top five in most events and it was this consistency that gave the team fourth place, with 272 points.

“We were vying for the top three throughout the afternoon, which is pretty pleasing,”team manager Byett said. “It is a very good start to the campaign and we can now consolidate our position. We know we have got people who can handle the pressure and it would be nice to improve as the season goes on.”

The team’s next fixture is on July 4, when they will travel to Eton.