Chelmsford Athletics Club ladies team had a tough assignment when they travelled to Eton on Saturday.

They faced Southern League leaders Windsor, Slough, Eton and Hounslow, a combination of clubs which now makes them formidable opposition.

Scoring a record 261 points the home team left behind them Stevenage (174) and Sutton (156), who both chase a top five placing.

Chelmsford scored 130 points and Basingstoke, now looking certainties for relegation, scored 89 points.

One sector Chelmsford had the edge was in the middle distance events.

At senior level Emma Haley took second place over 800 metres - paving the way for Claire Hayes to win the 'B' string with a personal best of two minutes 16.5 seconds.

Moving up to 1500 metres and Frances Cliffe with four minutes 46.6 seconds was just edged out of the prime position but Jessica Dunn backed up to bring another 'B' string win

When it came to the 3,000 metres, Chelmsford's pairing of Jo Baker and Claire Hayes seemed to relish the searing heat finishing ahead of their rivals for maximum points

At under 15 years level Laura Condron made her intentions known from the start of the 1500 metres, going well clear and kept increasing her advantage to finish in five minutes, 02.9 seconds. Her younger sister Josie was second in the 'B' race.

Lyndsey North and Hannah Besford dropped only one point in the long jump whilst each took a second place in the 100 metres and hurdles respectively before assisting the relay team to another second place.

Published Friday August 13, 2004

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