Southern Athletics League Division 2: Match 4

THE fourth and final round of this year’s Southern Athletics League season for Harlow took place at Woodford Green and Essex Ladies Ashton’s track on Saturday. Just as league organisers in any sport might wish for, the situation could not have been tighter. Across the three concurrent fixtures, three teams were in the mix for promotion, and five were in a fight to avoid the one unresolved relegation place.

As it was impossible to know how the other matches were progressing, Harlow, who were one of the five staring at relegation, had a simple goal: better Ilford’s result at the match and the club would be safe for another season in the division. In a barely credible drama – that required three checks before a result could be declared, only two points separated first from second at the top of the fixture, and Harlow and Ilford could not be split as they shared 197 points each. A tie ensured that Harlow picked up one and a half league points to end their campaign on nine and a half points.

This meant that Harlow had to wait for the result of the match at Hemel Hempstead, involving Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets AC. In another very close match, VP & TH AC were edged into fourth place by eight points. This was good enough only for two league points and a final tally of nine points. Harlow were safe by just half a point!

There will be those who can recall the glory years, the seasons unbeaten and a place at athletics’ top table through the seventies and eighties who might think differently, but avoiding relegation is an excellent result for the club. Last year, was the first promotion that the club had achieved since joining the Southern Athletics League in 2014. Having done so as the fourth placed promoted team, the fear was that, like a new football club getting into the Premier League, the team would come straight back down. That the club did not do so is testament to the hard work and commitment of a small number of volunteers and coaches and to an equally committed group of athletes.

This iteration of Harlow AC relies on seasoned veterans, raw Under 17 athletes, and a handful of senior athletes; the willingness of athletes to return ‘home’ and compete as they have moved to other areas for work and family; take time out from revision for GCSE and A levels, return from university; re-register as athletes as well as being coaches; delay the start of holidays, and volunteer to do an event ‘for a point’ on a hot final afternoon.

The closeness of the result really does prove that every performance mattered across the four fixtures, and many have played their part. Thank you, to all who have competed and contributed this season, too many to mention by name.

Match 4 result: Havering 297, WG&EL 295, Thurrock 203, HARLOW 197, Ilford 197, Stevenage 162