With the squad depleted by injury, Southend Athletics Club did well to secure the second place at Ashford that promoted them to the First Division just twelve months after leaving the Third Division.

With seven clubs in the running for five promotional places, Southend knew they had to do well, but their hopes were dented by the absence of top sprinter Jon Browne and Mark Smith, both suffering from injury.

Southend managed to clinch second place in the event, that left them with 25 points in the league - enough to see them amongst the five top clubs.

The day started well for the track team, with Neil Scrivener and Ian Sams winning their respective 'A' and 'B' strings in 55.9s and 62.1s.

Scrivener also won the 110m hurdles, as well as anchoring the successful 4x100m relay team of Sams, Matthew Taylor and Keith Palmer. He was also a part of the winning 4x400m relay team that included Clive Farrow, Palmer and Chris Craydon.

Victories also came for Farrow in the 'B' 400m in 52.8s and Colin Miles in the 'B' 800m with 2 minutes 0.5s. Jon Weaver recorded a personal best of 4.20.2 in the 'B' 1500m.

The field events also saw success with the 'A' pole vault being won by Jason Fry (4.2m) and Jamie Webb (4m). The 'B' high jump was won by Greg Goodrem with his clearance of 1.9m.

In the javelin, Gary Jenson's shoulder injury forced him to retire, although not before winning the 'A' with a single throw of 56.86m, and Dave Condon following him with a 46.67m in the 'B' event, with the latter also taking the shot-putt with a new PB of 17.16, the top ranked performance in the division.

Basildon survive drop athletics

Basildon Athletics clubs' Senior men produced an excellent performance to avoid relegation when appearing at Woodford on Saturday, finishing second behind fellow strugglers Croydon.

Junior International Darrly Stone, only 17 years old, equalled his best performance with 2m10 to win the High Jump with James Everard jumping 1m85 to win the 'B' event.

Another double first came in the 400m hurdles through Stever Surety, with 53.8s, and Dan Glover, 58.6s. This was shortly followed by Scott Sterling and Nick Wetheridge taking both strings of the 800m.

Other victories came from Aaron Cramp in the Javelin, Neil Clare in the Hammer and Rob Smith in the 1500m.

The meeting was rounded off with a victory in the 4x400m relay in a quick time of 3 minutes 24.9s, with Steve Surety blasting his way home in the anchor leg with a blistering 48.5s.

Considering that most of the team is made up of teenagers, this excellent performance is a promising sign for the future.

l In the Eastern Young Athletes League, a disappointing turnout resulting from holidays and injuries, led to Basildon dropping to fourth place, although performances achieved earlier in the year should see them represented in the Final.

Meanwhile, in the National Veterans Championship, Peter Everard gained a bronze medal in the over 45 Javelin.

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