28 June 2010
Abingdon’s annual Inter-house Athletics competition occurred on a brilliantly bright and hot day with a strong wind running straight down the 100m track. Such conditions were ideal for the 100m, which led to some fast times, including 11.6s for Nick Boreham, thus breaking Michael Summers 5-year old record. The conditions also suited the javelin and helped the talented Patrick Sardeson to 43.83m, breaking his own record by a good 3 metres. It was, however, no help to the discus throwers the other end of the field, but did not stop some fine performances with Christopher Tayler just missing the U17 record and Sam Adamson adding more than a metre to the U15 mark, with a throw of 26.00m.
On the day there was little chance of any great middle-distance times, but it did not stop some fine performances, not least from Tom Foxon, way ahead in the 1500m, and Laurence Lillley who forced Thomas Fabes into second place with a fine finish, but most dramatically from Michael Fabes, who not only soundly beat all the second years but came over a minute ahead of the next first year. The inaugural Golden Mile proved a two-horse, Watkins and Muir race, with the very tough conditions making it very hard for all the competitors. In the end they crossed the line together, with the time unimportant compared to the symbolic finish of two outstanding Abingdon running careers.
Well done to O’Doherty’s for achieving the overall victory, helped by victory in the Sixth Year, second in the Fourth Year and Fourth in the Third Year. Christodoulou’s did well to come second with a victory in the Third Year, with Franklin’s coming a very respectable third overall. Southwell-Sander’s won the Fourth Year but were let down by a largely absent Sixth Year team.
It was a hugely demanding day for all and many thanks must go to all the staff and boys who made it such a fine event.
