BOX HILL WINS 2003 MEN'S STATE LEAGUE PREMIERSHIP

The Box Hill Athletic Club men's State League team overcame a strong team from APS to retain our State League premiership in an exciting conclusion to the 2002-03 State League season. In a great night for the Club, the women's team improved from fifth position at the start of the night to finish in third position, just two points behind second placed Ringwood.

Congratulations to the men's team manager Chris O'Connor and captain Cameron Baker for bringing together a team which showed great Club spirit to withstand the loss of several key athletes through injury and a strong challenge from APS to emerge victorious with another premiership for the Club.

There were many highlights from the night. David Featherston and Ned McLeod both ran fast times in the 400 m hurdles to share the points with APS in what was a strong event for them on paper. APS then took points off us in the walk, although Simon Evans continued his recent good form to place fifth. Marty Duke ran a strong race in the first heat of the 200 m but finished two places behind Michael Hazel from APS and at this point scores were level and our 10 point lead from last week had evaporated. However from this point on we didn't look back as Lane Harrison won the second heat of the 200 and Braden Fraser finished second in the third heat to re-establish a 14 point buffer.

However, it was in the field where the victory was clinched with Ronnie Buckley again throwing well in the hammer and discus to beat his APS opponent, following on from his successes at the Australian Youth Championships last weekend. John Peavey won the high jump with Steven Cain from APS failing to qualify, and when Adam Rabone produced a qualifying leap in the long jump with his third jump and Mohammad Zeed dead-heated with Steven Cain a re-run of the 110 m hurdles from last week, we had stretched our lead to 31 points.

The 800 m and 5000 m races produced some exciting clashes, however our team of Tim Cherry, Liam Rourke and Tim Renowden in the 800 and Marcus Tierney, John Meagher and Luke Yeatman in the 5000 shared the points with APS so that with just the 4x400 relay to run, the premiership was ours. Corwin Pusch, Marty Duke, Justin Clark and Michael Saunders duly finished the night in style by winning the relay to secure a comfortable victory in the end.

The women's team showed that they are not far off winning another premiership by winning the second night of competition, but we were unfortunately too far behind the strong Bayside combine team after the first night of competition. Congratulations to team managers Cathy Tilley and Bev Power and to captain Leana Tilley on a great effort this season to be so competitive after losing so many athletes over the last two years.

For full results, click on the following links - State League Results - Day 1 or State League Results - Day 2.