Knowing that they almost certainly needed a victory to secure the Southern Athletics League title, Brighton and Hove took a big team for their match against hosts Stevenage, Norwich and Croydon.
On a day of surprisingly warm sunshine-the forecast had been average at best-punctuated by two biblical downpours Brighton secured victory comfortably in a match that was a tight three way tussle at the half way point.
Brighton used their strength in depth to great effect fielding two athletes in every event bar one and their team spirit was evident in the vociferous support given from the sidelines from the starter’s first pistol to the last discus thrown.
Seb Tucknott finished a fine season in the 400m winning yet again in 49.8 just a tenth shy of his PB. Anna Short, fresh from England duty won a comfortable sprint double while a special mention must go to Sarah Hewitt. The Brighton thrower again volunteered for the pole vault and over the season has amassed over 10 points in an event she has never trained for.
Peter Moreno continued his tradition of impersonating Daley Thompson securing a mighty twenty points for the team, the highlight being a blistering 110 hurdles in 15.1 into a frankly ridiculous headwind.
The women’s 3000m was won in 10.19.0 by Helena Tobin, the only other athlete within 2 minutes of her time was fellow Brighton runner Katy Hedgethorne in 10.30.0. Emma Revel-Chion secured her sixth PB of the season jumping 10.60 to win the triple jump.
Brighton secured their victory with a women’s 4 x 100m win beating Croydon by 20 metres in 51.4.
This victory broke Southampton’s three year dominance of the SAL and considering the team was only promoted to this division last year, the future looks exceedingly rosy for Brighton and Hove City Athletics Club.