Sports Update by Chris Lines
Athletics, Squash, Rugby, Football and more
In the sport this month...
Sport in Sedgefield
In the last update, I described the England men’s cricket team as being ‘a little undercooked’ at the time of the second Ashes test at Lord’s. Well, the contest was certainly ‘cooking’ by the final day of the Headingley game!
While I don’t think anything will ever quite match the drama of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Final earlier in the summer, that Sunday afternoon in Leeds came pretty close and of course the common denominator was Ben Stokes, product of the Durham County Cricket Club Academy.
Email club reports to Chris Lines: chrisjlines@aol.com
Youth teams - please call Tony Magee on 07837 114 271 if you would like him to report on your club or matches.
While I don’t think anything will ever quite match the drama of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Final earlier in the summer, that Sunday afternoon in Leeds came pretty close and of course the common denominator was Ben Stokes, product of the Durham County Cricket Club Academy.
Email club reports to Chris Lines: chrisjlines@aol.com
Youth teams - please call Tony Magee on 07837 114 271 if you would like him to report on your club or matches.
Athletics
Talented Sedgefield shot putter Kate Carmichael continues to make excellent progress in the sport. Now part of the Middlesbrough AC-Teesside Throwers Squad, Kate recently travelled to Scotland to take part in the senior national championships. Although still an under 20 athlete, she competed as a senior for the first time and, with a fantastic throw of 10.51metres, came away with a bronze medal. This was Kate’s first national medal – a fantastic result in her senior debut at that level.
September was a very busy month for the Sedgefield Harriers, with many of the club’s runners taking part in the Great North Run, and associated junior and mini events, plus the more recently established Great Tees events in Stockton. Two other Harriers deserve special mentions – Steve Foreman and Mark Raine, who, after both qualifying as guide runners, have helped visually impaired athletes to complete races in the North East. Steve and Mark have demonstrated great commitment to become official guide runners, and then brilliant selflessness to help others achieve their own goals.
On Sunday 15th September, the Harriers hosted the Sedgefield Serpentine race, starting and finishing in East Park outside the cricket club. Runners negotiated 10K of paths around Hardwick Park and Bishop Middleham, plus a few curious cows! The overall winner was Kurt Heron in 36 minutes and 12 seconds, while the first lady was Andrea Pfister (in 43:50), one of a group of visitors from Hamminkeln, Sedgefield’s twin town in Germany. Continuing his excellent recent form, David Bentley was first male Sedgefield Harrier in 38:15 and Emma Featherstone was first female Harrier in 51:27.
The club thanks Sedgefield Cricket Club for support in hosting the event and is grateful to headline sponsor Greig Cavey Commercial, and sponsors Parsons Containers, Start Fitness, Herd & Herb, No.4 Teashop and Sainsbury’s. As always, the race relied on assistance from many enthusiastic volunteers from the community and huge thanks go to them too, as well as the Herr Romanski, Burgermeister of Hamminkeln, who presented prizes.
September was a very busy month for the Sedgefield Harriers, with many of the club’s runners taking part in the Great North Run, and associated junior and mini events, plus the more recently established Great Tees events in Stockton. Two other Harriers deserve special mentions – Steve Foreman and Mark Raine, who, after both qualifying as guide runners, have helped visually impaired athletes to complete races in the North East. Steve and Mark have demonstrated great commitment to become official guide runners, and then brilliant selflessness to help others achieve their own goals.
On Sunday 15th September, the Harriers hosted the Sedgefield Serpentine race, starting and finishing in East Park outside the cricket club. Runners negotiated 10K of paths around Hardwick Park and Bishop Middleham, plus a few curious cows! The overall winner was Kurt Heron in 36 minutes and 12 seconds, while the first lady was Andrea Pfister (in 43:50), one of a group of visitors from Hamminkeln, Sedgefield’s twin town in Germany. Continuing his excellent recent form, David Bentley was first male Sedgefield Harrier in 38:15 and Emma Featherstone was first female Harrier in 51:27.The club thanks Sedgefield Cricket Club for support in hosting the event and is grateful to headline sponsor Greig Cavey Commercial, and sponsors Parsons Containers, Start Fitness, Herd & Herb, No.4 Teashop and Sainsbury’s. As always, the race relied on assistance from many enthusiastic volunteers from the community and huge thanks go to them too, as well as the Herr Romanski, Burgermeister of Hamminkeln, who presented prizes.
Lee Maddison
In previous updates, I have written about the fantastic achievements of Lee Maddison in the sport of boccia. Not content with that, Lee has now decided that he wants to participate in a triathlon and is also considering training for the Great North Run. He wants to do both to raise money for Conductive Life Services, a local group that offers a holistic therapy called conductive education which has benefited Lee massively throughout his life.Due to Lee’s condition, spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy, he needs to buy a special walking frame to achieve these aims, and he has been quoted a price of £3,600, so first he needs to raise funds. Lee and his family are setting up a fundraising page and asking local businesses to get involved by donating prizes that can be raffled, or making cash donations. They are also keen to run stalls or tombolas at local events, so will welcome any opportunities to do that. If you can help, please contact Jill Savage and Lee on jill.savage1983@gmail.com. To donate, go to www.gofundme.com and search (top left) to find ‘Lee’s Marathon Task’.
Wheelchair Rugby
On 12th & 13th October, Darlington Mowden Park Bulls Wheelchair Rugby Club will host a regional wheelchair rugby tournament at Sedgefield Community College, involving 48 players competing over two days, spectators welcome. Organisers have issued a request for help from local companies and individuals, seeking donations towards catering for the event, of pies/pastries, healthy snacks, crisps, fruit, desserts and drinks. If you can help, please contact Dale Thompson on 07925 079507 or Nicola Napier on 07710 086132.
Outdoor Bowls
Another outdoor bowls season has been completed at Fishburn Bowls Club, with mid-table finishes in three leagues (but not quite so high in the fourth). This was a satisfactory result for what is a small club - 25 members, compared to many others that it competes against.
There were over 70 league games and Fishburn travelled as far as Wolsingham, Lanchester and Peterlee. Over 350 visiting players came to the club and the vast majority praised the condition of the playing surface and appreciated the hospitality. Fishburn welcomed six new members and they were quickly introduced to the competition involved in league games, enjoying the experience. The next outdoor bowls season will begin in late April/early May 2020, when the club will hold an open day. Anyone with an interest in the outdoor bowls game is welcome to go along to see what it’s all about and try their hand at this intriguing sport.
To find out more, contact the club’s secretary on 01740 238443/07446 032450 or the treasurer on 01740 621627.
There were over 70 league games and Fishburn travelled as far as Wolsingham, Lanchester and Peterlee. Over 350 visiting players came to the club and the vast majority praised the condition of the playing surface and appreciated the hospitality. Fishburn welcomed six new members and they were quickly introduced to the competition involved in league games, enjoying the experience. The next outdoor bowls season will begin in late April/early May 2020, when the club will hold an open day. Anyone with an interest in the outdoor bowls game is welcome to go along to see what it’s all about and try their hand at this intriguing sport.
To find out more, contact the club’s secretary on 01740 238443/07446 032450 or the treasurer on 01740 621627.
Motor Racing
Late news - Sedgefield’s Owen Walton has been crowned the Volkswagen Racing Cup champion for 2019. Racing very tactically in the final round at Donington, Owen finished fourth to claim the overall title and commented: “It’s surreal to be honest.
It’s been a long six weeks, long weekend, I’m so relieved it’s over. After qualifying my head dropped a bit. We didn’t have a great race one, but it put us on pole for race two, which gave us the advantage going into the final race. It wasn’t the greatest of start, but I still managed to keep up the front.” Congratulations to Owen!
It’s been a long six weeks, long weekend, I’m so relieved it’s over. After qualifying my head dropped a bit. We didn’t have a great race one, but it put us on pole for race two, which gave us the advantage going into the final race. It wasn’t the greatest of start, but I still managed to keep up the front.” Congratulations to Owen!