October 2009 Results
The weather was finally on our side for October EH Throw as competitors were treated to a GOOD track. The night was warm and calm; perfect for athletic competition. Spring signals the start of local interclub competition. It also signals the Spring racing calendar and the famous Melbourne cup. Apparently, this race stops a nation. When EH Throws gets on board Spring racing, the competition fires up the world ;)
Of particular note, one black stallion leapt from the barriers with great ferocity and fired up early. This stallion also showed great courage and staying power throughout the night with sizzling form. Wearing the obvious number one, it was of course the sexy EH BBQ. Thanks again to Leon McNamara for riding the BBQ to victory for all during the night.
Each EH Throw event has a champion athlete who has thrown the furthest during the EH competition season. For those that attended the October competition, these champions were the race favourites and had to start off of scratch. They held the precious EH Prize money until other competitors could gallop over their performance. To even out the competition, handicaps were applied across the field. This handicap was the difference between the EH Throw Champions best performance and the athletes performance. E.g If the Champion’s best was 50m and the athletes best was 40m, the athlete would receive a +10m handicap. Therefore, if the athlete threw 41m, their total distance was 51m for comparison against the champ. If there was a dark horse who had not competed at EH Throws before their PB was used.
Race 1 was the discus throw and the field was loaded with 5 dark horses – Matt Staunton, Evan Scott, Alex Loughlin, Ashlee Smallwood-Simpson and Julie McNamara. New to EH Throw, these competitors were ready to be broken in. Favourite for the event was Alifatou Djibril who was going off scratch, with a season best of 51m. As the barriers flew open, Smallwood-Simpson pushed hard early with a handicap total of 51.50m. Staunton, Kaesler and Bajwa started to work hard approaching the 50m mark, but it was Loughlin who was working the best of the group extending to a handicap total of 53.13m. McNamara was working work hard at the half way point of the race, but it was still Loughlin out in front by two lengths. Rounding the top corner saw McNamara close the gap on the leader, and Djibril joined the bulk of the pack; but it was Scott who started his sprint for home as he took the lead with a handicap total of 53.94m. As the field entered the home straight, McNamara continued to close, but there was concern of her being able to complete the distance. Loughlin was finishing strongly and closed the gap to half a length, but it was still Scott out in front. As the field lunged for the line Smallwood-Simpson nudged out Scott for the lead. Loughlin was chasing hard and it was Loughlin, Smallwood-Simpson neck and neck for the finish post. With the photo finish it was Loughlin who had won race 1 with a handicap total of 55.83m to Smallwood-Simpson 53.95m and Scott 53.94m.
Race 2 was the hammer throw and it featured the return of Olympian Brooke Billett who throwing a 3kg implement was champion and off scratch of 67m. Staunton, DBillett and McNamara jumped early with handicap totals of 68.19m, 67.55m and 67.48m respectively; but it was Boylan who was the better of the group early with a handicap total of 69.36m. DBillett closed the gap to Staunton and Boylan, followed closely by Djibril; as BBillett started to gather momentum. As the field rounded the half way marker it was still Boylan by a length, followed by Staunton for 2nd and DBillett in 3rd. The champ BBillett pulled up early and was out of the race. As the competitors entered the home straight it was still Boylan holding the competition at bay. With the line in sight, Staunton started to gain on Boylan, but Boylan was holding some in the tank. Boylan brought out the whip (much to Willis’ delight) and threw a PB to take the win with a handicap total of 71.30m. Second was Stanuton and DBillett held on for third.
Race 3 saw the entrance of Wayne Willis into the competition arena for the shot put. Willis was the EH Throw shot put champ and would be off scratch with a total of 14m. Willis and Scott leapt leapt early, but it was DBillett who took the early lead with a handicap total of 14.15m. Bates and Richards were chasing hard as the field was trying to reign in the leaders. Rounding the top corner, DBillett increased his lead to a handicap total of 14.64m, back to Willis and Scott. DBillett pulled further ground on the field with a handicap total of 15.12m as the field entered the home straight. EH Throw champ Willis had a final lunge for the line of 14.08m, but he was pipped by Scott who threw a handicap total of 14.48m. However, it was DBillett who led the race from go to woah and never looked in doubt.
All EH Throw would like to thank the stewards for the night – Graham Billett, Rosemary Billett and Kym Richards.
November EH Throw Mo will be on Thursday, November 26. The Enfield Harriers Athletics club is supporting Movember. Our Team “Steel Mos” will be supporting mens health and raising money for the cause. Steel Mos consists of Matthew Staunton - Curly Mo, Darren Billett - Little Mo, Wayne Willis - The Mo, Leon McNamara - Gray Mo, Lauren Foote - Mo Sista, Russell Foote - IWanna Mo and Norm White - Stormin Mo. The Mo-event of the year will be at the next EH Throw Mo competition – November 26. Come along to check out the EH Mo’s and to also watch some athletic competition. EH Throw organisers will donate all proceeds from the BBQ sales to Steel Mos and Movember. Mo-nations will also be sort on the night. Anyone need a pool cleaner???
To sponsor EH Mo, you can either:
* Click this link http://au.movember.com/mospace/309442/ and donate online using your credit card or PayPal account
* Write a cheque payable to 'Movember Foundation', referencing my Registration Number 309442 and mailing it to: Movember Foundation, PO Box 292, Prahran, VIC, 3181
October EH Throw Results