COLCHESTER and Tendring Athletic Club's athletes enjoyed a promising start to their East Anglian Track and Field League season at Ipswich.

CATs finished fourth overall, only six points behind the third-placed team and many of the under-13 athletes were competing for the first time.

Many of the club's under-13 athletes were competing in events for the first time.

In the girls' 1,500m, Katie Roberts was third (5m 56.5s) with Rachel Sandercock was close behind (6m 08.0s).

Mazy King was third in the 800m (2m 47.2s) and Grace Kelway clocked 2.50.00s and also threw 5.36m in the shot.

In the 75m hurdles, Bea Paterson ran 16.5s and Rachel Sandercock posted 17.5s.

In the boys' 800m, Henry Dover was second with a PB of 2m 27.5s as was Antoine Atmadjov in the 75m hurdles (15.7s) and first-timer Tom Ashley clocked (16.8s).

Maddie Southworth produced a solid performance in the 100m (15.0s).

In the under-15 category, Mia Patterson produced solid performances in both the 100m (13.6s) and 200m (28.6s).

Mary Olayiwola ran 46.6s to finish third in the 300m, while Jenny Palmer won her heat in 48.0s.

Ebba Paterson won the 800m in 2m 37.2s while Ayra Anderson was second in her heat (2.39.6s).

CATs' under-15 girls also finished second, in the 4x100m relay.

Jimi Sijuwola won the 100m (11.9s) and 200m (24.9s) and Sam Lemnell was third in the 300m (47.7 s).

There was a new PB and first place for Alfie Kelway in the 80m hurdles (12.3s), along with a second-place finish in the shot putt (7.55m).

Ollie Mitchell ran 12.5s in the 100m and a PB of 26.9s in the 200m, while Aidan Cahill finished second in 4m 52.1s in the 1,500m.

In the high jump, Matty Godron was third with 1.30m and also came second in the discus with 20.37m.

Akin Akinboh was second in the under-17 100m in 11.6s and there were solid 200m performances from Owen Fookes (24.5s) and Akin Akinboh (24.2s).

Fookes also won the 400m in 53.7s while Tom Palmer had the second fastest time of the day in 400m (54.3s).

There was a clear win for Thomas Palmer in the 1,500m after he took seven seconds off his PB in clocking 4.20.7s.

Freddy Richardson gained a PB in the 1500m (4.27.5s) while Stefan Godron was second in the javelin with a PB of 38.43m.

In the under-17 girls' and senior women, Joy Ogunleye won the 100m with 12.2s.

There was a great performance from Lauren Woodiwiss after she clocked the third fastest of the day in the 200m (27.5s), while Kira Wealls posted 28.2s.

Lauren was also 2nd in 300m 45.7 s and Ella Gray ran well in 47.1 s

April Castle gained valuable points for CATs by competing in 100m hurdles (1st place), the 400m, long jump, triple jump (third place), javelin and relay.

Her sister Debbie Castle won her javelin (33.57m) and was also third in the shot and hammer, where she posted a new PB of 28.64m.

Carey Hollick gained points in the discus and shot putt while Sian Gifford earned points in both the 400m and the relay.

Emma Gadsdon came third in the high jump 1.30m.

In the senior men, William Page was second in the 800m with a PB of 1.59.5 while Ben Miller was first in the under-20 men's category in the 1,500m (4m 20.3s, after finishing second in the race.

Adam Vigar was second under-20 male in the high jump (1.55m) while team-mate Petor Godron earned points in the discus, shot, javelin and hammer.

All CATs athletes clocked personal bests including Ollie Mitchell (100m, 12.5s; 200m, 26.92s); William Page (800m 1m 59.5s), Freddy Richardson (1,500m, 4m 27.5s); Thomas Palmer (1,500m, 4m 20.7s); Ermeas Afewekki (1,500m, 4m 34s); Debbie Castle (PB, Hammer 28.65m, first in javelin 33.57m); Stefan Gorden (javelin, 38.4m); April Castle (first in senior hurdles).