Croydon Harriers' young athletes took the limelight from their senior colleagues at the weekend, when the club's Surrey League programme opened at Guildford for the men and on Wimbledon Common for the women.

Led by captain Mathew Hall, the Harriers' combined under-15/under-17 team stormed to an excellent victory.

Hall, took charge of the race and produced one of his best performances to win over the 2.5 miles by two seconds.

Just as impressive was the club's second athlete home, 14-year-old Robbie Powell, whose sixth place was a fine achievement. Jack Appleton (eighth), Mark Elsworthy (10th) and Nick Saunders (11th) also performed well.

The club men faced the five-mile Merrow Downs course for their Division II Match and despite solid runs from all -round, could only finish in sixth place.

In the women's event at Wimbledon, emerging distance talent, 14-year-old Jessica Goodwin, hung in doggedly to take the runners-up spot.

October 23, 2001 17:00