Blackheath & Bromley hosted the first ever British Athletics League match at Norman Park and there was a celebratory mood with beer tent, barbeque and many former athletes from the last 40 years in attendance.

Herne Hill Harriers won the match with B & B just six points behind in second place.

Cardiff and Harrow who finished first and second in the opening fixture came 5th and 6th respectively which meant a big change around in the League placings.

Cardiff and B & B are first and second both with 12 League points, the same as third placed Herne Hill.

The three Clubs are only separated by match points.

With Thames Valley on 11 and Harrow on 10 there is everything to play for in the remaining two matches.

There were many great performances from the B & B members but the athlete of the match went to Daryl Brand.

Daryl, who represented England in the Commonwealth Games in 1986, was competing in his first BAL match for 23 years and celebrated in fine style by winning the javelin with a throw of 63.11 which is a British over 45s record.

He also finished third in the shot with a putt of 13.73.

His javelin record means that both he and his father Colin, aged 73, hold current British Age group records in the event.

Other wins came from James Alaka, who celebrated his selection for the Great Britain team for the European Under 23 Championships, with victory in the 200; from Lewis Ely in the high jump with a leap of 1.95; Ed Harrison in the 400 hurdles in 53.04; and Nick Moore who was equal first in the pole vault with a new best of 4 metres.

Both under 17s who competed did well with Mark Longhurst winning the B pole vault with a clearance of 4 metres and Ben Parkin gaining second in the B 400 hurdles.

Andrew Jordon made an impressive debut in the Hammer.

Throwing the Senior implement for the first time he finished third in the A String with a distance of 55.55 with Richard AlAmeen runner up in the B string.

Elsewhere in the field Dale Willis set a new best of 13.17 in the triple jump and the Club were grateful, as ever, for the contribution of Alex Pope in the jumps and throws.

On the track Josh Cayenne dipped under 49 seconds for the first time this season in the 400 metres but such was the quality of the field that it only gave him 5th place.

Russell Bentley set seasons bests in both the 800 and 1500 while Andrew Rayner and Peter Tucker in the 5000 and Alex Bruce Littlewood and Alex Gibbins in the steeplechase scored more good points for the team.

The 110 hurdles were a bonus with former Commonwealth Games representative Mensah Elliott third in the A string and Richard Holt a fine second in the B event.

It was a great effort behind the scenes too with everyone working as a team to ensure the success of the meeting.

The next match is at Leeds on the 1st of August.