Winning start for Lewis-Francis

Winning start for Lewis-Francis
By Sarah Holt

Mark Lewis-Francis got his 2006 season off to an encouraging start by winning an invitational race at the new Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) track.

The 23-year-old clocked 10.22 seconds to finish ahead of Australians Daniel Batman, Adam Miller and Joshua Ross.

“I came into this run totally blind,” said Lewis-Francis. “I am shocked, I can’t believe what has happened.”

The 100m was the highlight of a meeting to mark athletics’ return to the MCG ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

Northern Ireland’s James McIlroy also got his preparations under way by winning the 800m in one minute 47.50 seconds.

Mo Farrah was a comfortable winner of the 5,000m in 13:40.79 while Chris Baillie clocked a personal best of 13.77 to win the 110m hurdles

Athletics has returned to the famous cricketing venue for the first time in 50 years to stage the Commonwealths. The MCG also held events at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.

An eight-lane track and jump and field area have been laid over the cricket pitch, which has not been used since 30 December.

Marlon Devonish
Britain’s Marlon Devonish, who finished a disappointing last in the 100m with a time of 10.40, believes the atmosphere at the MCG will help produce some blistering performances at next month’s Games.

“The stadium is colossal so running in front of that kind of crowd is only going to bring out your best,” Devonish told BBC Sport.

“The track is in great condition although there is a slight swirling wind inside the stadium.”

Lewis-Francis and Devonish, who are both coached by Tony Lester, teamed up to win 4x100m Olympic gold in 2004 and the duo expect to return to form in Melbourne.

“We’re feeling positive about the Commonwealths and expect to be in better shape than we were in this race,” said Devonish.

"Mark’s not been feeling on top of the world in training so he’s surprised by his victory.

"I’ve been feeling quite flat over the last few days and that’s shown in my performance - it felt like a shabby training run.

“But this race has blasted out the cobwebs and I’m looking forward to the Games.”

ATHLETES FROM MANY NATIONS USE CWG VENUE, THE MELBOURNE CRICKET GROUND, TO HONE THEIR SKILLS DURING VICTORIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS. GOOD REPORT FROM ATHLETICS AUSTRALIA WEBSITE

Pittman announces I’m Back as Lewis Francis speeds to MCG Victory

Day One - Victorian Championships: Jana Pittman in full flight during the first heat of th 400m hurdles

18 February 2006 | 11.19pm

By David Culbert at the MCG

After a day-two fade out at the national titles in Sydney, all eyes were fixated on Jana Pittman in the final of the women’s 400m hurdles at the Athletics Australia Invitational at the Melbourne Cricket Ground tonight.

After an astonishing final 100m torture-test two weeks ago, Pittman produced a one act affair to produce her fastest time of the season, 54.41 seconds. Sonia Brito was second (57.69) with Lauren Boden in third (58.69).

“I’m back… the demons have been put to bed. I backed up, at the nationals I faded but tonight I backed up. It was an ugly race and I was a bit stuttery but otherwise it felt great,” Pittman said

In the men’s sprint battle, the English introduction to the Melbourne Cricket Ground produced results at both end of the spectrum – with Mark Lewis-Francis claiming a moral boosting victory, and team mate Marlon Devonish finishing at the tail end of the 100m field.

Lewis-Francis edges past the best of the Australian sprint line-up to record an impressive win in 10.22, just ahead of Daniel Batman (10.25), Adam Miller in a personal best of 10.26, Joshua Ross (10.26) was fourth with Matt Shirvington (10.28) in fifth. The wind was a helpful +1.9mps.

“All the things that have been said about me are in the past – fat man and all of that,” a pumped up Lewis-Francis said after the race.

“I’m shocked and excited at the time, it’s my first run and I’ve hardly done any speed work,” the Athens relay gold medallist said, clearly looking forward to his next month down under.

It is expected that Craig Mottram will produce one of the highlights of the Games in four weeks time, when 80,000 spectators attempt to lift him to victory against the Commonwealth’s best 5000m runners. Tonight the overwhelming crowd favourite raced over a mile and after a conservative first three laps, the 2005 world championships 500m bronze medallist burst clear to just go under the four-minute mark (3:59.84). Geelong’s Louis Rowan was second (4:01.55) with Adrian Blincoe (NZL) third (4:01.80).

“My coach told me to run like I stole something,” Mottram said describing the last 250m in which he burst from the pack to take the race by the scruff of the neck

Australian champion John Steffensen took to the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the first time – blitzing the field to take the 400m final. Steffensen produced his trademark explosive third 100m to take control of the race, stretching his lead in the home straight to win in 45.44, ahead of Mark Ormrod (46.05) with Trinidad & Tobago’s Ato Modibo third (46.06).

"I felt like the guys who ran the first race yesterday, it was great to be out here in this amazing stadium.

"I’m happy to experience the stadium and my main goal was the keep the Commonwealth guy (Modibo) just there (behind me), just so he doesn’t even think about winning.

In the women’s 400m, Tamsyn Lewis returned to the winners list, overcoming a difficult lane draw to record 52.83. Lewis was drawn in lane eight, and used her 800m strength to her advantage, clawing back early leader Cydonie Mothersill from the Cayman Islands and just holding off Rosemary Hayward (52.85 – SB) to win. Annabelle Smith finished third in 53.05 with the winner at the national titles, New Zealander Jane Arnott in seventh in 54.43.

“It felt like a time trial, I did have rosemary on my inside, and I just held her off,” Lewis said.

In the women’s mile, Sarah Jamieson confirmed her form and medal chances over 1500m and 5000m at the Games with a dominant display. Off a slow early pace, the national 1500m champion sped to a personal best of 4:29.15 – the third fastest ever by an Australian and just 4 seconds of the national record of 4:25.84 held by Margaret Crowley – a time Jamieson hopes to attack at the IAAF World Tour event at Olympic Park in Melbourne on 9th March.

Lisa Corrigan ran a personal best of 4:31.08 in second with Melissa Rollison (4:31.88) also producing a PB in third.

Daniel Batman looked impressive in the men’s 200m. The national titles runner-up went into the race with the intention of staying relaxed and working off the bend, and the goals was achieved with a smooth exit from the turn and a controlled straight to stop the clock in 20.55. Adam Miller was second (20.96) with Devonish third (20.99).

In the men’s 5000m, England scored their second win of the night with Mo Farrah (13:40.79) defeating Peter Nowill (13:50.45) and Martin Dent (13:53.96). Farrah is staying in Richmond, just 800m from the MCG and will feel like a local by Games time.

Jamaica tasted victory for the first time at the MCG, with world championships semi finalist Kemel Thompson winning the 400m hurdles in 49.84. As did Northern Ireland – with James McIlroy winning the 800m in 1:47.54, just ahead of Australian champion Nick Bromley (1:48.24) with Lachlan Renshaw third (1:48.64).

Paul Burgess didn’t start in the final of the men’s pole vault, choosing to go through the call-room procedure but watch the action from the infield, with Steve Hooker and Dmitri Markov both clearing 5.50m. Hooker winning on a count back after going clear on his second attempt, Markov his third. Both had three misses at 5.80m.

In the women’s pole vault, Kym Howe completed her final attempt at 4.50m at 10.55pm – after a lengthy competition. The attempt was unsuccessful, so the Commonwealth record holder had to be content with a clearance at 4.40m. The shoulder troubles that kept her out of the national titles seemingly behind her. Vicky Parnov, jumping off a short approach, leapt 4.00m.

In other events, Angela McKee (NZL) beat Ellen Pettit (WA) on a count back in the high jump, both recording 1.87m; Brooke Simpson caused an upset in the women’s 800m (2:07.49), as did Annabelle Smith in the 200m (23.77). Athens Olympic finalist Bronwyn Thompson easily won the women’s long jump with 6.44m. Sally McLellan continued her dominance of the short sprint winning in 11.56

Scott Martin continued his impressive form, winning the discus in 61.21m, with Benn Harradine also impressive in second with a best throw of 60.69. Earlier in the day, 1998 Commonwealth champion Stuart Rendell claimed the Victorian title with a best throw of 74.15m. Brooke Billet won the women’s hammer with a best of 65.84m; Anna Poulha the women’s shot (15.70) ahead of Dani Samuels (15.09).

The first event of the night provided an international trifecta, with Scot Chris Baillie taking the 110m hurdles final in a personal best of 13.77 seconds, ahead of New Zealand’s James Mortimer (13.88) and Scotland’s Allan Scott (13.88). West Australian Warwick Cregan produced a personal best of 13.89 in fourth place, reducing his best from 14.23 in Canberra last week. Cregan’s time is the fastest in Australia this season.

In other news from the MCG, defending Commonwealth Games shot put champion Justin Anlezark has withdrawn from the Games team following confirmation that his injured hand will require immediate surgery.

Anlezark, who holds the Australian record of 20.91, set at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, will go under the knife in an attempt to rectify a problem with his middle finger on his throwing hand suffered during the Olympic final in Olympia in 2004.

The Queenslander re-injured his finger at the Telstra A-series meeting in Canberra last month and missed the Telstra Selection trials in Sydney. Anlezark will meet with surgeon Greg Hoy in Melbourne on Monday and set a date for the operation that will keep him out of the sport fro six months.

The Victorian Championships continue tomorrow, along with the Australian Club relay championships, which will feature the Australian relay teams for the Commonwealth Games