KELLY’S HEROES WIN IT FOR BIRCHFIELD
FORMER HEPTATHLETE’S TEAM COME OUT ON TOP IN THE THIRD AND FINAL MATCH
MARTIN DUFF
GARY MITCHELL
BIRCHFIELD HARRIERS won this match with ease to take the league title from holders Thames Valley Harriers after starting equal on league points.

Sineade Gutzmore: won the triple with 13.28m to give eventual winners maximum points
This scenario came about because a late decision by the league organisers to reinstate all the athletes from three clubs who had been disqualified from the opening match of the season due to alleged non-eligibility. It transpired it was an interpretation of the league’s own rules and how they conflicted with those of UKA which was the problem.
Notts and Windsor had withdrawn athletes from that opening match over alleged eligibility issues but subsequently lost out when all of the athletes in question were reinstated.

Beth Partridge: 1.86m high jump victory
All of this benefited Birchfield, who regained the points they had been docked and under the guidance of team manager Kelly Sotherton came out on top in both the track and field. They had five A-string and six B-string wins.
Swansea Harriers trumped Birchfield’s track victories by also posting five, but a weaker field squad ruined their overall chances. The winners’ field performances were matched by Windsor, who finished second on the day overall but behind holders TVH in the league placings.