IT CAME as no surprise when Niall Flannery was awarded the male Track Athlete Of The Match Award at the UKA National Young Athletes’ Auxilliary final at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium. Flannery produced an amazing hat-trick of victories which included a meeting record in the 400 metres hurdles, a record which has stood since 1985, to go with his wins in the 800 metres and 100 metres hurdles. He nearly added to his gold medal haul with a last-leg effort in the 4x400 metres relay where he just failed to pull back a 35-metre deficit. Flannery’s effort epitomised Gateshead Harriers’ performance from the outset as they battled throughout the day to come out on top for the first time in the club’s history. In the past, Gateshead have finished in fourth, fifth and seventh place – but the Tynesider, under the guidance of team managers Janice Kaufman, Michael Donnelly, Hilary Forest and Lynn Welsh, have assembled a keen, enthusiastic and talented squad equal to the best in the country. In the process of lifting the trophy, Gateshead athletes claimed 27 gold medals, 22 silver and 29 bronze – and three new meeting records. Just to underline Gateshead’s achievement in Birmingham, the male Field Athlete of the Match Award went to Christian Harrison (pictured) for his performance in the shot at under-13 level. Chris Betts, a long-time Gateshead committee member, was convinced the winning of the Auxilliary Trophy was the finest achievement in the club’s long history. He said: “In the past Gateshead have won many individual honours but this victory ranks as the best. “In the 60s, 70s and 80s we were probably the leading road and cross-country club in the country and during those years we had athletes going to the Olympics and World Championships. “This win is the best team performance ever on the track and it comes on the back of the senior team gaining promotion to Division One of the UK Athletics League. “I am really pleased, not only for all of the athletes who made the trip to Birmingham but for all of the team managers, coaches, helpers and parents who have worked tremendously hard in the period leading up to the final. They all deserve praise for their support.” While Flannery and Harrison deservedly received the top match awards, Gateshead's victory, against clubs from Northern Ireland, Scotland and England, was achieved by a whole-hearted all-round team effort. As well as numerous club records to fall many of the team ended their season with personal bests. Shannon Howden and Amy Fletcher set personal bests in the under-13 hurdles race, while Celia Harrison produced a lifetime best in the under-15 javelin competition. Joanne Lawton’s clearance of 2:71 metres in winning the under-17 pole vault was also the best of her career. Carlonie Smith’s performance in the 300 metres in the same age group was also her best ever and Portia Maddison’s second place in the hammer of 32:82m was not only a pb but also a Gateshead club record. As well as Flannery’s pb in the under-17 100m hurdles, Adam Rowland earned himself a pb in the 800 metres, as did Graeme Fairbairn in both the hammer and javelin competitions. Winner of the under-17 pole vault Tim Parkin improved his pb to 4:16m and Tony Burnell’s winning high-jump clearance of 1:85m was one centimetre short of his best. To add to Harrison’s pb in the under-13 shot, other athletes in the same group who excelled with their best-ever performances were Kieran Newton (800m) and Michael Dias and Simon Robson in the long jump. Those who picked up maximum points but were slightly down on the their pbs included Sam Hall, who won the under-13 80 metres hurdles in a new meeting record of 12.66sec as well as winning the high jump competition. Rachael McIntyre won the under-15 javelin and Celia Harrison triumphed in the shot competition in the same age group. Jordan Bowser won the under-15 hammer event and set a new pb in the discus, while Jessica Read came out on top in the girls long jump. The under-17 women’s section came out on top in the 80 metres hurdles (Laura Walsh) and a superb 200m/300m double by Nicola Pearson. To cap it all, the 4x300m relay team of Melissa Smith, Joanne Lawton, Jenny Hudson and Pearson, led the field home in a new meeting record, which was also a new club record. MATCH RESULT: 1 Gateshead 817.5pts; 2 Shaftesbury Barnet 756.5; 3 Notts AC 711; 4 Giffnock North 681.5; 5 Cannock and Staffs 676; 6 Leeds City 671.5. | 
