A COMBINATION of youth and experience brought Bexley Atheltic Club to within four points of victory at the season's opening Southern Men's League match.

The team were looking for an overall win to launch their promotion campaign following last year's disappointing relegation to Division Three.

However, a strong turnout by the host club Croydon Harriers coupled with the absence some Bexley athletes meant the result hung in the balance until the final two events of the day.

Despite a win for Martin Lloyd in the A-string discus (38m) and a second place (B-string) for Paul Lillis, who threw over 30m for the first time - victory by Croydon in the 4x400m relay clinched the match for them.

There were several notable individual victories however, beginning with Tim Lumgair's comeback in the 400m hurdles.

After an injury hit winter it was a steady yet welcome win in 67.2secs.

Former Great Britain junior international Martin Lloyd added to his discus triumph with further wins in the high jump (2.10m), and the 110m hurdles in a PB of 15.4secs.

The youth of Bexley AC demonstrated over the next few years the team will be in safe hands with several under-17s either winning or gaining PB performances.

Debutant Stephen Carter won the B-string 400m (56.9secs) and the triple jump in a PB 10.59m.

Fifteen-year-old Jamie Farrell acquitted himself well taking second place in the B-string 200m (24.9secs) while fellow newcomer Dan Haley tried to emulate his namesake's Comet when coming second in the 100m (B) with a swift 11.7secs.

The middle distance double of 800m and 1,500m was attempted by 16-year-old Michael Hobson and against much older opposition he only failed to win both by a stride on each occasion.

In the B-string 1,500m the even younger Jamie Walker strode to victory in 4:29.4.

With further PBs in the javelin by Paul Lillis (46.48m) and Martin Jenner (32.46m), Paul Slater (triple jump, 11.96m) and Chris Hendrie equalling his own PB in the 100m (11.8secs), it was a promising start to the season.

However, most inspiring the stylish Stephen Robjohns vicotry in the gruelling 3,000m steeplechase.

At nearly 41, he won by the length of the straight and demonstrated there are many fruitful years ahead for the youngsters.

Match Result:

1. Croydon Harriers, 145pts

2. Bexley AC, 142 pts

3. Richmond & Twickenham, 95 pts

4. South London Harriers, 75 pts