Young Chichester athletes celebrate league promotion

Their National League team went to Crawley for the final match with a squad of 24 athletes producing a convincing all-round display to win the match by over 80 points and ensure promotion.

What is most pleasing was the way the athletes have developed over the past three months, starting as one of the weaker teams in the division.

The under-13 and under-15 squads have grown in stature and can look forward to next season with optimism.

Under-15 boys

The under-15 boys showed versatility in track and field with top sprinter Theo Craske producing two good sprint results before going on the win the shot put with 9.22m.

Ukranian Yehor Yvsotskyi backed up well in the 100m and long jump before ensuring the 4x100m and 4x300m relays scored good points.

Ben Ward and Monty Hill started the match with a double win in the hurdles and dropped just one point in the high jump before Ward tackled the 800m with Noah Collins, again scoring near maximum points, while Hill joined forces with Sam Cato over 300m to good effect. Digby Fulford was on good form over 1,500m and in the 200m and javelin.

Under-15 girls

The under-15 girls had a smaller squad than in recent matches but the five involved showed great team spirit.

The middle distance events were well contested with Molly Smithers and Millie Isitt providing a strong pairing in the 1,500m which Grace Haworth was supported by newcomer Phebe Holloway over 800m.

The quartet took points across a variety of events.

Thrower Jess Beach produced a personal best of 8.78m to win the shot as well as backing up Haworth in the javelin.

Under-13 boys

With just five under-13 boys available, Chichester feared they would be outgunned - but they need not have worried as the quintet produced a host of top two places.

Two Year 6 pupils, Max Gayle and Thomas Kelson set the ball rolling with a near perfect score in the hurdles before Kelson set a new PB in the 75m and Gayle shoed his versatility in bit 1500m and high jump.

Harry Dunne was again sub 2.25 in winning the 800m and Ivo Edgar was back in action over the 1,200m, long jump and javelin.

Sprinter Ben Stewart retained his unbeaten record in both sprints and made it a clean sweep with a fine winning shot put of 9.23m.

Under-13 girls

Daisy Hillyer showed talent over 150m, 1,200m and hurdles. Maddie Maddern showed good speed in the 75m and backed up well in the long jump.

Elodie Hill paired up with Kitty Goodband over 800m and was speedy over 150m and long jump. Goodband smashed her previous best in winning the high jump with 1.36. Tilly Goodband was in form in both the 75m and javelin while Evie Purvis shone in the hurdles, shot put, javelin and relay