Sefton Brancker Match - 15 Jul 09

By Flt Lt Ben Trapnell

A wet and windy day at Copthall Stadium was the venue for the Track and Field fixture in honour of Sir Sefton Brancker. This is annual competition involving the Civil Service and Middlesex AA consisting of a Cross Country fixture held in the later part of 2008 which saw Middlesex and the Civil Service in the lead coming into the Track and Field match meaning we had a lot of ground to make up. Many of our athletes were using the fixture as a sharpener before the Inter Services the following week and a few of the events were run offs for places in the squad.

First off was the 3000m race walk which saw the men's team manager, Flt Lt Ben Trapnell, and AC Jordan Nicholson debut at the event. Not a strong event for the squad but the opposition was surprised to see Jordan make a break after 2 laps and split the Middlesex athletes showing an aptitude for the event and gaining valuable points! Next off was the 400mH with SAC Daz Robinson continuing his dominance of the event this year backed up by Sgt Mark Afford. In the background the Pole Vault was taking place and Sgt Bob Kingman and Cpl Alex Williams continuing their dominance of the event.

The 100m saw SAC Tony Higbee and Flt Lt Nav Childs take to the track with Tony justifying his selection for the Inter Services 100m the following week. The 200m featured Flt Lt Nav Childs back out on the track, joined this time by SAC Daz Robinson who tore the track up round the bend to scream home to a fast time. The long jump was won convincingly by SAC Kev Hibbins who would have been a certain for the Inter Services if operational considerations had not ruled him out. Flt Lt Nav Childs once again backed him up before going on to win the Triple Jump competition.

Mark Glimer cruised round the 400m, saving his best for the Birmingham Games the following weekend and Sgt Marc Afford also ran making it his second of 4 performances on the night. The 800m saw AC Travis Culverwell and a surprise appearance by SAC Lee Athersmith, dabbling in the shorter event before his steeplechase later in the evening, take on the best Middlesex had to offer and although they just lost out they pushed them all the way. In the 1500m Cpl Kieran White had a good run out to stretch his legs before his assault on the Army the following week and he was backed up by the rapidly improving Flt Lt Dutch Van Kints, definitely one to watch in the future. Flt Lt Greg Dunson took a break in his preparations for the World Vets Championships to run the 110m Hurdles coming third behind the victorious SAC Tony Higbee.

SAC Tony Higbee returned to the field to impress in the Shot Put along side AC Jordan Nicholson who then went on the throw a seasons bets in the Javelin. The Steeplechase was a tough affair in the gathering wind but SAC Lee Athersmith did well, showing good form going into the Inter Services the following week.

The end of the night was not without its dramas as the RAF convincingly won the 4 x 100m Relay before overcoming an early lead by the Civil Service in the 4 x 400m and only taking the lead in the last lap before crossing the line in victory! Would the efforts of the team be enough ot take overall victory? In the end we won by only 2 points overall, regaining the Sefton Brancker trophy and with our heads held high all eyes will now turn to the Inter Services.