A SMALL but talented team of seven Bury AC athletes travelled to Ellesmere Port for the the final YDL Upper meeting of the track and field season.

Collectively they were rewarded with seven personal bests and secured fifth place overall for Bury.

Each of the under-17s did the maximum four events and some reached the graded standards in their respective events.

Traditionally, it is difficult to get u20s and u17s out to compete as there is often conflict with exams and summer jobs.

However, team manager Donna Cartwright has worked really hard in persuading athletes to take part in the league, and special mentions go to Hashim Shah, Jenna Allen-Cartwright, Teegan Brady and Chloe Fairhurst who competed in all four fixtures, and participated in the maximum four events. The team spirit was fantastic and all the athletes supported each other throughout the competition.

For the u20s, Christie Cook equalled her season's best in winning the 800m in 2:23mins. As well as competing in the long jump, Mariella Digioa took fifth in the 100m in 13:9secs and repeated her placing in the 200m, running a 28:7.

Hashim Shah, in the u17s 100m, won in 11:7. He was just edged into second place in the 200m but was rewarded with a PB of 23:7 before he turned his attention to the javelin.

Oliver Kirby took fourth in the B 200m in a new PB of 27:0 and then set a new PB of 59.8 in taking sixth in the 400m. He also set a new PB in the javelin.

Hurdler Chloe Fairhurst finished fourth in the 80m hurdles race, running 18:1, and fourth in the 300m race as she crossed the line in 57:2 before competing in the long jump.

Jenna Allen-Cartwright won the A 300m in a new best of 44:2 and took second in the 200m in 28:6 as well as competing in the discus.

Teegan Brady was rewarded with a brace of personal bests, winning the B 300m race in 44:7 and the B 200m in 27:5 and also threw in the discus competition.

Allen-Cartwright, Brady and Fairhurst stepped up to join Digioa in the u20s relay race and the quartet won by a large margin.

Jean and John Simpson, together with Ken Smith, volunteered to officiate, making a vital contribution to earning the team points.

This is the first year that Bury has entered a team in the league and the athletes have set a good baseline for next year.