What is likely to be the last open event this summer at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex took place on Sunday, with the meeting devoted to throwers and jumpers. The weather was kind, as it has been throughout the series of meetings.

All in all, twenty Yate athletes gained personal best marks, against competition from across the country. Clubs as far apart as Liverpool and Hampshire, Carmarthen and Essex had representatives looking for decent competition, as well as plenty of local athletes from other clubs.

Highlights for Yate came, once again, in the hammer and the high jump. In the under-17 men’s hammer, UK ranked 1 and 3, Owen Merrett and James Viner were close to their bests. Owen threw 63.53m and James 55.40m. Owen is over ten metres ahead of his nearest rival in the rankings. Both men must surely have a great season in 2021.

Gazette Series:

James Viner, Owen Merrett and Toby Conibear with coach Matt Spicer

Also promising a good year to come were Adam Brooks and Luke Ball in the high jump. Luke improved his personal best in the under-17 men’s event with a jump of 2.01m, a considerable achievement for a sixteen-year-old. Adam just missed out on his best in the under-23 men, clearing 2.11m but failing at 2.14m. Despite the lockdown and attendant difficulties, both men have worked hard this summer and done very well.

Pole vault has presented particular problems this season, so it was good that so many Yate vaulters were able to compete. Five of them improved their personal bests: Arisa Burgess and Amy Nolan in the under-13 girls; Sophie Hornung in the under-17 women, Matt Lewis in the V50 men and Jerry Musselwhite in the V60 men.

Six javelin throwers improved their performances: Felix Fielding, Owen Boon (under-13 boys); Daniel Falconer (under-15 boy, who also improved his discus throw); Alex Elliott (under-17 man), and Jodie Dale (under-20 woman).

To round up the day’s tally there were PBs for Tracey Watson in the V45 women’s discus; Louis Tutcher in the under-15 boys shot; Matt Page in the under-15 boys hammer; Archie Hally in the under-15 boys high jump, and Evie Moir in the under-13 girls’ high jump.

Following the sequence of carefully organized and Covid aware events, complimentary comments about the Yate stadium and Yate and District’s management from all points of the country. Many of them complimented the local outfit for the way they have provided good competition in a wide range of events, and hoping that it will not be long before they are able to come back to Yate Outdoor Sports Complex.