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Top-five finish shows mark of consistency
Chichester's team of talented young athletes finished off their season in style at the West London stadium by ensuring a top-five finish in the division one of the National Athletes League.
A squad of more than 40 athletes pushed league champions Cambridge Harriers all the way, losing by just 15 points. But it was Brighton & Hove who came out on top to stave off the threat of relegation.
The result cements Chichester's position as top Sussex junior club, a fine achievement following their promotion from division two last season.
The under-17 boys were up against fast times from the London athletes but Richard Ford, Michael Dixon, Bradley Hellyer and newcomer Joel Banks battled well.
There were wins for Charlie Roe in the long jump again over six metres and George Grainger in the 400m hurdles.
Roe and Eddie Hillyer scored good points in the high jump with James Tasker partnering Grainger in the 400 flat.
Harry Richardson was just edged out in a tight battle in a fast 800m while Sam Bryan and Rory Myers picked up excellent points in the middle distance.
For the girls, three newcomers joined the four regular members of the team.
Jess McKenzie was again in dominant form over 800 and 1,500 as well as posting a good 300 win into a strong headwind.
Annabelle Collins-Ballands did well in her first match for the club as B string while Ellie Purvis and Phoebe Adams scored a clean sweep in the 3,000m.
Renae Brown was joined by newcomer Beth Andrews and Olivia Overton coming back after injury.
In the under-15s, both girls and boys continued their consistent form.
Katie Hardcastle kept up her unbroken string of victories in the long jump while Caroline Langmead and Izzie Brown formed an excellent partnership in hurdles and high jump with a near-perfect score.
Hardcastle, Emma Napper and Kezzie Norrell battled hard against some good sprinters and Bryony and Katrina Richards-White not only shouldered the main bulk of the throws but showed good form over 1,500m and 800m respectively.
The boys battled hard all day and had to wait until nearly the final event of the day before another newcomer, Lewis Adams, partnered by Mikey Swinyard, recorded their first double in the javelin.
Earlier Ollie and Greg Smith had done well over 800m, while Jamie Moore and George Richardson dropped just one point in the 1,500m.
Richard Foulkes had a fine day in the throws with Johnny Mitchell lending good support, while Stuart Goldsmith, Connor Whitfield and Ollie Pickersgill all picked up good points on the track.
Finally the under-13s made up for a lack of numbers with some fine performances.
Jean Luc Kondabeka and Will Andrews battled well in the sprints while James McKenzie and Joe Oliver were too good with a double first over 800.
Holly Beaton scored well over 800m for the girls and partnered Natalie Godden, who won both the long jump and hurdles.
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Weather for Chichester
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South west
