APART from a sudden 10 minute downpour, it was a perfect athletic day when Southend AC held their club championships and open meeting.

The event was very well supported especially in the sprints, hurdles and the girls’ long jump.

And no fewer than 10 competitors signed up for the pole vault eventually won by Chelmsford’s Michael Read with 4.75 metres.

Southend’s senior representative, Jason Fry, produced a life-time best of 4.55 taking him to within six cms of the club record set almost a decade ago.

Under-17 winner Aaron Kaye cleared the third best height of the day with 3.80, while Under-15s Paul McCluskey cleared 2.80 and Rob Frith 2.10.

Winners and Club Champions 2008: Under-13: Mitchell Turffrey: 100m 13.8; 200m 27.7; Long Jump 4.83m; Joe Beard: 800m 2,33.4; Rob Frith:1500m 5,18.2; Oliver Woodhouse: 75m Hurdles 16.3; High Jump 1.25m; Javelin 25.48m; Kyle Marshall: Shot Putt 8.09m; Callum Pastfield: Discus 16.01m; Tinashe Matsure: 100m 14.9; 200m 30.2 Chloe Williams: 800m 2,43.7; Shannon Mackie: 70m Hurdles 12.6; Hayley Lamkin: Long Jump 4.13m; Kerry McCrory: Discus 9.04m.

Under-15: Tom Watts: 100m (12.9); 200m (26.3); Shot Putt (9.58m); James Blake: 400m 62.5; Harry Grose: 800m 2,07.5; High Jump 1.50m; Ashley Capel: 1500m 4,48.7; Callum McLean: 80m Hurdles 12.6; Javelin 33.00m; Rhys Gillard: 3000m 10,40.2; Paul McCluskey: Pole Vault 2.80m; Ashley Dean: Hammer 24.36m; Ghanelle Edwards: 100m 13.6; 200m 28.0; Sian McCrory: 300m 45.0; Jessica Mead: 800m 2,28.7; Camilla Smee: 1500m 4,57.8; Jordan Lacey: 3000m 11,39.9; Natalie Woodhouse: 75m Hurdles 13.4; Sophie Jarvis: Long Jump 4.69m; High Jump 1.40m; Summer Dann: Discus 14.44m.

Under-17: Jake King: 100m 12.1; 200m 25.7; Long Jump 5.69m; Tom Frith: 800m 2,03.9; Dave Smale: 1500m 4,25.9; Liam Peoples: 400m Hurdles 66.3; Triple Jump 11.48m; Javelin 39.06m; Tom Jeffs: Shot 9.07m; Hammer 34.85m. Aaron Kaye: Pole Vault 3.80m; Amy McDonald: 100 13.2; 200m 27.5; 300m 42.8; Emily Burgess: 1500m 5,13.5; Eleanor Evans: 80m Hurdles 13.5; High Jump 1.30m; Alexandra Dean: Discus 23.55; Felicity Clarke: Javelin 17.08.

Men Under-20: Kevin Brown: 200m 24.9; Long Jump 6.22m; Triple Jump 13.78m; Ben Hunter: 400m 53.1; Paul Whittaker: 800m 2,04.9; Howard Clarke: 5000m 16,55.1; Lloyd Hartman: 1500m Steeplechase 4,40.7; Rob Franks: Javelin 43.08m; Kerry Holland: 1500m 5,18.4; Danielle Hurley: 5000m 20,07.5; Shot 4.78m; Javelin 15.54m.

Seniors: Greg Goodrem 200m 25.4; 400m 54.1; Adam Hickey: 5000m 15.29.7; Javelin: Peter Smale 33.60m; Jason Fry: Pole Vault 4.55m pb; Sarah Jeffery: 1500m 5,36.6; Vets: Steve Hockett: 1500m 5,23.9; Hendrik Zietsman: 5000m 15,49.1pb; 1500m Steeplechase 4,51.1 pb; John Tyler: Discus 16.91m; Javelin: Geoff Smale 29.16m; Penny McDonald: Javelin 9.34m; June Cork: Shot 5.92m; Hammer 14.93m.

In order to give future potential club members some competition, the younger brothers and sisters were given the chance to win some sweets by taking part in the Under-11 events, an annual feature of these Championships.

Results: 60m Fastest: Alfie Williams 10.0; 150m: Fastest: Laurence Willmore 24.6; Emma Jarvis 26.6; 600m: Fastest: Laurence Willmore 1,56.2; Georgina Friswell 2,08.7.

>AT Luton in their Eastern Young Athletes League match, Basildon finished third on 631 points – just two behind runners-up Dacorum.

The hosts won on 695.5. Highest scorers for the new towners on 134 points were the Under-15 girls.

The Under-17 women top-scored on 124 with Luton and Dacorum.