THREE of Bury’s crop of talented multi-eventers made the long trip down to Exeter at the weekend to represent Greater Manchester in the English Schools' Combined Events Championships.

In the junior boys’ pentathlon competition, only six points and one place separated team-mates Jay Cook and Natan Witkowski.

Cook took 22nd place overall with a total score of 2,380, with Witkowski in 23rd with a new best score of 2,374.

In the individual elements both young athletes set new best marks in the shot and the 800m, with Cook’s 12.53m and 2mins 28.70secs, compared to Witkowski’s 10.17 and 2:21.15.

Witkowski had stronger performances in the 80m hurdles (12.5 versus 13.23) and long jump (5.09 v 5.04) with Cook taking honours in the high jump (1.56 v 1.50).

Both of them can be justifiably proud of their performances coming at the end of what has been a long track and field season for them.

They both move up to the under-17 age group next year which makes them eligible to compete for the senior team in the Northern League where they will make exciting additions.

Abigail Howard competed in the junior girls’ pentathlon competition.

Her total score of 2,248 was a little short of her current best but it secured her 36th position in the high-quality field.

Her performances in the individual events included a strong showing in the 74m hurdles (13.08) and the 800m (2:44.44) and solid efforts in the high jump (1.26), long jump (4.42) and shot (7.82).

As with Cook and Witkowski, Howard will be a welcome addition to the senior squad next season.

Three junior members competed in the final Wigan open meeting of the season on Sunday.

Witkoski got the Exeter journey out of his legs by winning the 80m hurdles (12.6) and taking second in the long jump (4.97).

In the u15 girls' events, Jena Dickinson took fourth in the 75m hurdles (12.9) and second in the high jump in a new personal best of 1.40. Scarlet Hamilton also competed in the high jump taking fifth place in 1.30.

In what was an otherwise relatively quiet weekend for Bury AC, a few members ran in the popular Heaton Park parkrun.

Josh Birmingham reduced his personal best to 16:20, finishing as runner-up and young Jacob Allen took 18th overall with a time of 19:29.

Katie Geelan was second female finisher in 20:09, with Sarah Thomas hot on her heels in third with 20:29.