By Owen Morgan
Cardiff AAC’s men retained their British Athletics League Premier League status by just half a point after finishing sixth in their final league match of the season in Hendon
The result means the club, which was promoted to the top flight last year, will finish the season safe in sixth place in the league.
However, their local rivals Swansea, who were also promoted last season, will return to the first division after finishing in eighth place at the weekend and bottom of the eight-team league. They will be relegated along with Thames Valley Harriers.
The capital city club pulled out all the stops to try and amass as many points as possible to stay in the top flight with the likes of veterans James Thie and Matt Elias pulling on the blue vest to earn vital points.
Former Wales and GB middle distance international Thie finished sixth in only his fourth ever track 5,000m race, while fellow retired international Elias was called down from the stand to take part in the 400m hurdles.
Their example, and that of club captain Brett Morse, who has been an ever-present in the league side this season, epitomised the all-round effort.
Both Cardiff and Swansea have suffered from the success of some of their individual athletes, who have not been available for selection in the league due to international selection and other commitments.
Morse, who himself has enjoyed success on the national and international stage this season, once again led by example in the field winning the discus A string with a throw of 58.30m.
Jac Palmer also produced a winning performance in the A string hammer, taking the win with an effort of 66.56m.
There was a double for Cardiff in the javelin where Jason Copsey won the A event with a personal best of 68.04m and Richard Dangerfield took the B string competition with 59.87m.
On the track, there was an outstanding performance by sprinter Sam Gordon, who produced a wind-assisted personal best in the 100m
Gordon, who earned a British vest at the Athletics World Cup earlier this summer, won the A string event in a blistering 10.26 (wind assisted 2.1m/s).
The 800m was also a rich source of points for Cardiff as Joe Reid finished second in the A string event in 1:55.14, while Elliot Slade won the B string race in a time of 1:50.15.
It was another tough day for Swansea Harriers, but there were notable performances by Lemarl Freckleton, who clocked 21.40 finishing third in the A 200m and Joe Brier, who ran his second fastest time ever – 47.50 – to finish fourth in the 400m.
