Report by Patrick Calnan BLACKHEATH and Bromley's youngsters just missed out on retaining their National title when they finished second in the UKA National Young Athletes Final at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium.

Despite winning two athlete of the match awards, and achieving a number of meeting best performances (MBP) and personal bests the team were narrowly beaten by a strong Enfield and Haringey squad.

The two athlete of the match awards both came in the field events.

Jessica Matthews bounced back from injury to win the under-15 girls high jump in 1.70m which was not only a personal best but also a club record and a MBP.

Eddie Ekanem, a relative newcomer to the club, was just outside the club record in the under-15 boys shot as he putt 16.13m to win the boys' athlete of the match award.

Shaunagh Brown's winning throw of 43.98m in the under-17 women's discus improved her own MBP and there was a MBP also for Andrew Jordon in the under-15 boys hammer with 58.17m.

There were many other impressive performances as well. In the under-17s age group Amy Smith was in dominant mood in the women's 3,000m as she lapped all but three of the field to win by over a minute in 10mins 32.02secs.

There were triple jump wins for Isobel Ivy and Marcus Morrison and Shaunagh Brown added the shot title to her discus win.

Dan Putnam stormed to victory in the under-15 boys 400m in 52.39secs and B-string winner Stephen Cavey had earlier won the 800m with a devasting kick for home from 200m out.

The two then teamed up with Ozzay Booth and Sanchez Palmer for a resounding victory in the 4x400m relay.

In the field Danny Duffin won the javelin in 46.37m and he also took silver in the B shot and bronze in the B high jump, a fitting end to his time with the club as his family emigrate to Australia this week.

Matthew Fletcher took the long jump in his first year in the age group.

For the girls there were wins for Danny's training partner Helen Silvester with 31.14m in the javelin and for Katherine Jones with a very useful 9.45m in the shot.

Best performances for the under-13 girls came from Sian Duffy who won the 75m hurdles and from Kelly Davey who putt the shot 8.55m.

Best placed for the boys was Anton Daley who was second in the 200m.

These were just some of the highlights from a squad that have performed with distinction all Summer thanks to the support of numerous coaches and the work of team managers Karen Cosby, Paul Patten, Mike Shepherd, Heather Williamson, Jonathan Stockdale and Jenny Jackson plus the generous support of Nike, The Trust Partnership, Pizza Hut, Whitbread, Bromley Council and Bromely Mytime.

It has not been an easy summer for the youngsters with Norman Park track being shut for refurbishment but, with it reopening, the club is hopeful of challenging successfully for the National title next year.

For further details, visit bandbhac.org.uk