The British League Men’s Team continued their winning streak
on home turf at Terrence Macmillam Stadium. Not only did Newham & Essex Beagles retain their British
Athletics League Premiership crown, they also set a League record being the
only club in League history, to win all four matches in a season in successive
years. The win was a fitting way to say a great farewell to Tony Shiret, who is
stepping down as team manager.
Newham won with 399 points from Enfield and Haringey with 340 and Woodford
Green with Essex Ladies with 305 points. There was disappointment for City of
Sheffield and Trafford who were both relegated.
Athlete of the Match: Match 4: Matt Roberts (Newham & Essex Beagles) High Jump 2.20m
Match report: Final Premier League Standings
1. Newham 399 1. Newham 32
2. Enfield and Haringey 340 2. Woodford Green 25.5
3. Woodford Green 305 3. Birchfield 23.5
4. Birchfield 271 4. City of Manchester 16.5
5. Shaftesbury Barnet 242 5. Enfield and Haringey 15.5
6. City of Manchester 237 6. Shaftesbury Barnet 14
7. City of Sheffield 228 7. City of Sheffield 13(relegated)
"Our
win on Saturday was with a record number of points and made us the
first club in British League history to win all four matches in
consecutive seasons. We also won by 59 points from the second club
Enfield. By any measure this was an outstanding performance. It was
great to win at the Macmillam Stadium, where we have not held
many matches over the years. What was really nice was to see many old
faces from the club's past coming to the current great team. They mixed
well with the very young faces from our Star Track relay teams and the
Newham Volunteers. The GLL team at the Leisure Centre set the track up
beautifully and the new indoor centre was excellent for warm up, physio
and entertaining out guests.
The team has been run by a group of managers for the past two seasons and I would like to thank Rowan Griffiths, who is taking over the Manager role from me next season and who actually put together Saturday's team, Bob Smith and Richard Gysie who have all been fantastic for the last two years.
But
at the end of the day it is the runners, jumpers and throwers who win
the matches and my thanks as Team Manager go to everyone who has pulled
on the Beagles' vest this year. They deserve to be British League
Champions again."
