Bolton Harriers continued in winning ways last weekend, lifting the British League Plate in Bedford. In a thrilling finish to the National competition for regional league clubs, Harriers won the medley relay to confirm victory in the match.
With only 10 events on the programme, the emphasis was on quality rather then quantity, and Harriers did not disappoint. Tom Lancashire was a double winner in the 800m and 1500m, before anchoring the relay team to victory. He will complete his season with a 1500m in the British Miler's Club Grand Prix Final at crystal Palace this weekend, before returning to his Florida base for winter training. Will Green was again in good form, winning the 100m into a headwind with a time of 11.25 seconds, while Matthew Osbourne was a close runner up in the 200m in 23.04 seconds. Without his specialist event, the Long Jump, on the programme, Osbourne also deputised for Tom Hope in the Triple Jump, leaping 12.56m for 5th.
Carl Hardman picked up an easy victory in the 3000m Steeplechase, cruising round in 9 mins 58 seconds. The 24 year-old from Salford has had a great season, bringing his 5000m best down to 14: mins 18. Chris Eckersley ran a season's best in the 400m, finishing 5th in 51.09 seconds and showing that he is peaking late, just in time for the Promotion match. He added another season's best for 800m at Stretford on Tuesday, clocking 2 mins 3 seconds. John Nicholson continued to defy an elbow injury, finishing 4th in the Discus and 6th in the Hammer Throw, while Andy Jones was again in good form in the Pole Vault, clearing 3.40 metres.
The club now has 2 weeks to prepare for the final and most important match of the season, the 8-club Northern league Promotion match where the Division 2 winners and runners-up will compete for 2 places in Divsion 1