There were plenty of all-star showings when Southend Athletic Club staged their minithon with more than 40 youngsters from school years five, six, seven and eight competing at their Garon's Park track.

Not surprisingly, it was established athletes from the club, and belonging to the older year eight age group, who recorded the highest points showings as competitors tackled a running, jumping and throwing event apiece.

They were awarded points for each performance as in the decathlon and Matt Gadd claimed six gold stars with a massive 98 points to break the meeting record. His performance just beat that of five-star Daniel Quinn, with 86 points.

Tops for the girls was Kristina Marshall with three stars and this achievement was matched on the boys' side by Mark Allen, Luke Cockman, Jay Smith and Daniel Schade. This quintet are all year eights.

Double stars, still outstanding performances, were achieved by Keiran Quinn and Zoe Young (year six), Daniel Smith, Lee Warrington, Simon Hemmings, Adam Hickey, Mark Dickenson, Christopher Lee, Jenni Reynolds and Nicole Schade (year seven) plus year eights Susanne Joad and Sarah Jeffrey.

For many of the younger competitors this was a First introduction to the sport of track and field.

Up and over - Simon Hemmings clears the hurdles and collected two stars.

Pictures: MIKE BELLENIE

Wall stands proud

There was a tremendous performance by Basildon Athletic Club's Melissa Wall in the under-15 1500m at the Southern Women's League Division One match at Tooting Bec.

Mellisa ran an incredible 4 mins. 34.2s - only to have to settle for runners-up spot.

For Bedford's hugely talented Katrina Wootton won with a League record-equalling 4.32.0.

Among the seniors, Melissa's elder sister Kim Wall won the 400m in 56.2, while Alex Joel was second in the 3000 in 10.25.2.

Somma Power was runner-up in the shot putt with an 11.50 putt and Basildon finished third with a points total of 158

The small but dedicated band of Southend Athletic Club members who made the long trip to Salisbury for their Southern Women's League match produced some outstanding performances.

The junior under-15s produced four personal bests - two of them from Kristina Marshall in the 800m (2m.28.6) and discus (19.48m).

Patricia McMahon's winning 75m hurdles performance of 13.0s showed great potential while her hurdles partner Sam Daly also ran a best yet with 14.5.

Frances Weaver, Sarah Jeffrey and Nikki Corless gave invaluable support, gathering a quarter of the club's final points total to boost the seasiders.

The senior squad elected for quality since quantity was against them. Vicki Boast, a staunch team member, claimed two personal bests - 2.46.0 in the 800 and 19.96 in the discus.

Sarah Raven produced a lifetime's best in the javelin with 20.26m and, while not a best ever run, her second-placed 4.59.1 in the 1500 is indicative that this fine athlete is getting back to the form which made her a real force to reckon with.

Charlotte Cutler produced two outstanding performances. Her 400m, a frustrating two one-hundredths away from breaking the magic minute, was added to by a winning 800 of 2.17.0 - only 2.3s away from her best ever.

Lack of numbers is definitely hitting the Southend team here. They were well adrift in fifth place with 79 points and are currently 24th out of 25 teams in Division Three with 454.5 points - only Essex rivals Colchester and Tendring (447) saving them from being the basement club.

Nature trail suits Weaver

A total of 23 athletes from various clubs took part in the inaugural run through Rochford's Magnolia Nature Park.

Home-grown talent was to the fore in the Southend AC organised event with winner Jon Weaver cruising round the very pleasant and easy to follow two laps in a nature park developed from reclaimed land in 30 mins. 33 secs.

He was followed by fellow Southend members Chris Leeman (32m), Dave Hallett (34.37) and Rob West, closing in the initial pack in 34.37.

Of the visitors, first home was Pitsea Running Club member Roy French followed by Kevin Stead from Benfleet Runners.

First blood to Southend

Southend Athletic Club produced their first Eastern Young Athletes League victory of the season when their large and talented squad proved all-conquering.

In previous matches this season the boys have generally had a large squad, but that's not always been the case with the fair sex.

Here, however, girls' team manager Hayley Candler was not only delighted with the strength and depth of her squad, but also by the way they encouraged each other's performances. Their team spirit alone deserved the ultimate success

The massive 258 points total was achieved by a litter of individual firsts which, in the under-17 men's, saw excellent doubling up from James Hinds (56.2s 400m and 2m.10.0s 800m), Neil Christie (12.0 100 and 24.6 200) - both seasonal bests - Rob Jolley (35.69 discus and 11.63 shot) with James Mason having the same twin success in 27.46 and 12.33.

Mason also triumphed in the javelin with 36.56, while new talent Michael Brown enjoyed a hat-trick with three good performances in the triple jump (12.26), long jump (4.83) and javelin (26.57). New member Michael Allen's superb 57.8 400 run was an exceptional performance and augers well for his future in the event.

Sprinting in the younger age groups was in good shape with Lee Warrington's 14.7 100 and Keiran Quinn's 30.4 200 starring for the under-13s, while under-15 Richard Abrahams paired the 100 and 200 with excellent results (12.6 and 26.5).

Among the girls, under-15 Kristina Marshall enjoyed a successful day with a sharp 5.19.0 for 1500, an improving discus (17.44) and 4.06 long jump.

For the same age group, Carla Raven's useful 2.34.0 for the 800 and Andrea Noble's 14.3 75 hurdles were both noteworthy - as was a nippy 2.44.0 800 for Alice Williamson in the under-13s.

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