Williams bags two golds at British Masters' Championships

GOLDEN girl Paula Williams was the star Stratford AC performer in the British Masters’ Championships last weekend.

After establishing themselves as one of the best masters athletic teams in the Midlands, Stratford athletes headed to the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham with high hopes of success.

Williams once again led the way, claiming gold in both the 80m hurdles and the shot.

In the hurdles, Williams got off to a fast start and despite clouting a hurdle with her trailing leg, she won her first gold.

The injury sustained forced her to withdraw from the 100m and hobble into the shot put.

Despite being reduced to a shuffle rather than a glide, Williams won gold again to confirm her status as one of the best female athletes of her age group in the country.

Meanwhile, evergreen Phil Brennan, preparing for the World Masters in Perth later this year, had a busy and successful weekend.

On Saturday he ran the 1500m in a season’s best time of 6.03 to win the silver medal. He then returned on Sunday to run in both the 800m and 5,000m races, claiming a fifth place in both.

David Jones also did well with fifth places in both the 1500m and the 5000m against strong opposition in the M65 age group.

The 1500m was won in 5.01, with Jones running an impressive 5.44, only just outside his personal best.

The 5,000m was won in an amazing 18.21, with Jones finishing in 21.00.06, a season’s best time for him and just a fraction outside his target of 21.00.

For Brian Gravelsons, it was also his first British Championships and confirmed his continuing improvement in the 100m, running close to his personal best despite carrying a persistent injury.

Peter Coote, after his gold medal in the pentathlon earlier this year, had a busy Saturday with long jump, javelin, 100m and discus.

However, despite throwing a new PB in the javelin, he finished outside the medals against strong fields in all four events.