The
first domestic championship of the 2004 season was
held in sunny conditions at Gateshead and saw concincing
victories in the sprint hurdles for favourites Tamsin
Stephens and Allen Scott.
However
both were frustrated by electronic timing failure,
Scott clocking 14.0 [hand] after a 14.00 heat victory,
to finish comfortably clear of Matt Butler in 14.4
and Colin Roberts 14.6. Stephens the Northern Irish
Record holder was equally as impressive her 13.6 time
beating Loughborough team mate Sara McGreavey 13.9
, with Gemma Bennet in 3rd.
There
was drama in the final of the men's 400m hurdles as
favourite and clear leader Steve Surety crashed out
at the last hurdle, leaving Dave Brackstone to take
the title in 52.23. Ben Sumner had a great weekend
improving his pb by just over a second - taking the
silver in 52.90, infront of Richard Smith.
The
women's 400h was dominated by Ireland's Michelle Carey
who 58.53 took 5/100ths off her 2002 pb. Never the
less there were promising performances behind Carey
from Louise Alwyn who set new best in both heat and
final [60.68 and 60.38], whilst junior Anwen Rees
took her best from 62.1 to 60.95 for the bronze to
build upon her indoor succes where she was second
in the AAA u20 400m. Claire Brason showed a return
to form with 61.17, much improved upon her 2003 form.
Also
notable was Steve Green's performance in the 400m
flat which he won in 47.43. The 2002 World junior
4th place looks set for a good season over the 400h,
having already clocked 51.7 and will be looking to
add his name to the list of sub 50 second British
400m hurdlers.
4th March 2004
