Athletics: McKay's power helps West Cheshire stay up

Aug 9 2007 by Luke James, Liverpool Daily Post

DAVE McKAY helped retain West Cheshire AC’s place in Division Two West of the Northern League.

He powered his way to maximum points from the javelin competition held at Warrington’s Victoria Park with a memorable personal best throw of 65.18m.

McKay, who is listed in the UK’s ranking lists, rounded off his league season alongside his brother, Andrew, who won the B javelin event with a throw of 42.91m, and the B hammer (33.68m).

Dave also added valuable points from a victory in the shot with a best put of 11.83m, secured top spot in the B discus with a throw of 31.28m, and finished second in the 100m hurdles with 19.4 seconds.

Michael Lyness finished second in the high jump with 1.85m behind Bolton’s Brian Hall who cleared a new league record height of 2.20m, and Andrew McKay finished second in the B event with 1.65m.

Steve Crowe posted 16 minutes 23.5 seconds for third spot in the 5,000m and Dave Alexander finished third B with 16:55.6.

Andrew Gore cleared 2.90m for fourth spot in the pole vault and Michael Lyness was second B, also clearing 2.90m.

Jelle Verwer (2:00.8) and Alex Haswell (2:05.9) finished third in the A and B 800m races, and Harry Ellis produced a time of four minutes 9.4 seconds for second in the 1500m.

Nicola Gore starred for the women’s squad with a hat-trick of victories.

The multi-talented athlete posted success in the shot (10.79m) alongside Emily Fisher, second B with 7.01m; and she won the discus with 37.04m alongside B winner Stephanie Owens who hit 34.05m.

Stephanie won the hammer with 44.96m and Nicola provided support by winning the B event with 31.71m, before launching the javelin to 27.15m to secure second position.

MATCH RESULT: 1 Bolton 427.5 points; 2 Manx 356; 3 Liverpool Pembroke Sefton 332.5; 4 West Cheshire 325.5; 5 St Helens Sutton 291; 6 Stockport 266.5.

OVERALL FINAL RESULT: 1 Bolton 24; 2 Liverpool Pembroke Sefton 15; 3 West Cheshire 14; 4 St Helens Sutton 12; 5 Manx 11; 6 Stockport 9.

FIXTURES: This weekend – Cheshire Track and Field League third round at Deeside Stadium, Connahs Quay, on Sunday, (1pm start).

DAVE ALEXANDER finished second in the third Deestriders Off Road Grand Prix race at Shotton.

The West Cheshire AC distance running ace clocked 27 minutes 41 seconds to finish a minute behind eventual winner Ricky Challinor (Deeside AC). The next race in the off road grand prix series will be held on Friday, September 7 (7pm start).