McNeice and Roberts Top Semi-Final Heat at the British Lead Championships in Manchester

Indoor Climbing News
09 Feb
4 min read

The competition is heating up on Day 2 of the British Lead Championships as the semi-finals conclude at the Big Depot, Manchester.

With 26 athletes battling for a place in the finals, only the top eight will progress to tonight’s showdown.

Senior Men’s Semi-Final

In his first-ever senior men’s Lead Championship, Toby Roberts delivered a commanding performance, becoming the only competitor to secure the top hold on the men’s semi-final route.

Reflecting on his climb, Roberts said:

“The route was really nice - really power-endurancy, sort of my style - and it felt good to get back out there on a rope. I definitely like being up there and fighting. It’s been a while since I’ve had to fight on a headwall, so it feels really good to get back into it.

“For the finals, I’d be happy if the routes were more of the same. There have been some really cool ones so far in this competition… it feels good to climb on routes like these in the UK.”

Fred Williams heads into the finals in second place after reaching 35+, while Rhys Conlon rounds out the top three with 32+.

The sticking point of the men’s route proved to be at 31+, where five competitors - including reigning British Champion Jack MacDougall - came off. MacDougall heads into the finals tied for fifth place with Sam Hammond.

  1. Toby Roberts
  2. Fred Williams
  3. Rhys Conlon
  4. Sam Butterworth
  5. Jack MacDougall
  6. Sam Hammond
  7. Jamie Jenkins
  8. Daniel Smith

Full results can be found here.

Senior Women’s Semi-Final

Erin McNeice is no stranger to the British Lead Championship final, having claimed the 2023 title. The Olympian now looks to defend her crown after being the only Senior Woman to top the semi-final route.

Speaking after her semi-final round, McNeice said:

“It felt pretty good; the route was really fun. I’m not sure I read it how it was meant to be, but it was quite a nice surprise getting up there and doing those fun moves.”

Hannah Kerr and Lucy Garlick round out the senior women’s top three, with just a single hold separating them. Kerr secured 41+, while Garlick finished on 40+.

  1. Erin McNeice
  2. Hannah Kerr
  3. Lucy Garlick
  4. Thea Cameron
  5. Zoe Peetermans
  6. Connie Bridgens
  7. Fae MacDougall
  8. Izzy Bridgens

Full results can be found here.

U17 Men’s Semi-Final

Isaac Sutton once again claimed the top spot, reaching 35+ on the U17 men’s route. He was closely followed by Louie Cawley in second place (33) and Tom Bouwknegt just behind with 32+.

  1. Isaac Sutton
  2. Louie Cawley
  3. Tom Bouwknegt
  4. Harveer Seikham
  5. Spike Fullwood
  6. Toma Croome
  7. Kit Watson-Evans
  8. Reuben Hayward

Full results can be found here.

U17 Women’s Semi-Final

Iggy Rinaldi leads the U17 women’s semi-final round (34), with Florence Nuttall (30+) and Mia Gallagher (27+) placing second and third.

Rinaldi and Gallagher continue to show their strength in the Lead discipline after placing first and second during yesterday’s qualification heat.

Commenting on her semi-final round, Nuttall said:

“It was quite nerve-wracking and a little sore on the skin. I’m feeling pretty boxed and don’t think I could have gone much further.”

“My aims for the rest of the year are to do lots of training, make more finals, and maybe even podium [internationally].”

  1. Iggy Rinaldi
  2. Florence Nuttall
  3. Mia Gallagher
  4. Seren Wednesday-Wills
  5. Bella Ryder
  6. Brooke McMeekin
  7. Maia Chapman
  8. Charlotte Willcox

Full results can be found here.

Stay tuned for tonight’s finals, where the best climbers in the country will battle for the championship title. Watch live on the BMC YouTube channel from 17:15.

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