Bromley AC's ace pole vaulter Liz Hughes achieved a staggering breakthrough at Portsmouth last weekend which has put her into British No.2 position behind Olympian Janine Whitlock.

After an energy-sapping two-hour wait in the early stages of the competition, Liz set the crowd alight as she soared to more than 4.16 metres.

She then went over 4.21m, but in her excitement on the top of the pole, thrust her chest forward and knocked off the bar!

The clearance would have secured Liz much-needed Lottery funding as she needs a new pole which costs £500.

Liz and her coach Alan Williams now have their sights set on the European Games qualifying height of 4.25m.

On the same weekend, Bromley AC's internationals Myrtle Augee and Montell Douglas were representing Great Britain, in Croatia and Italy respectively.

Myrtle, who has won shot-putt medals, including gold, in the last five Commonwealth Games, was in Croatia for a throwing inter- national, with athletes from as far afield as Cuba and Australia taking part.

She is still in hard training for Manchester and putt 15.94m. Montell was chosen for the Under-20 international in Torizia following her 11.77sec 100-metre performance during the AAA's Championships.

She was a member of Britain's winning 4x100m relay against Italy and Spain, as well as running 11.82 in the guest 100m race.

Bromley's Women's Southern League team at Portsmouth was missing several national and international performers, but enjoyed great team spirit with the senior 4x100m relay of Dawn Wilson, Rachel Chadwick, Vikki Cole and Claire Hobson annihilating the opposition.

There were personal bests from Katie Welch (long jump), Lucie Cross, (discus), Ella Fisher (400m), Vikki Cole and Amy Jackson (100m), plus Jerry Sandford and Laura Betts, in the hammer.

Frances Athawes threw well in all three under-15 events, and was supported by Ruby Samuels, who won the B-string shot.

Club president Maureen Miller ran 2mins 18.1secs in the 800m and under-15 Katie Murray was as versatile as ever.

July 9, 2002 10:30