Despite leading for most of the day Colchester Harriers Ladies finished third in their latest league fixture.

The top two positions eluded the team which finished third with a points score of 172.5 - just three-and-a-half away from eventual winners and hosts Woking.

Second place went to Newham and Essex Beagles who scored 175.

This leaves the Harriers in fifth position in the Southern Women's League going into the final match in September at Eton.

The team, as usual, produced some outstanding perfomances all round.

The club's young throwing experts gained some valuable points with Jessica Mole, Victoria Thompson and Hellen Shean working hard in the extreme heat for the senior ladies and impressive performances from Rachel Wotjkew, Vicki Wheatland and Rachel Holgate - who all finished in either first or second place - provided a big score for Harriers.

The jumpers got off to a good start as Catherine Holdsworth gained a personal best in the javelin competition of 31.14 metres to secure the win and came first in the long jump with a leap of 5.72m. Sophie Wotjkew finished second with 4.64m.

Nicola Gaisford and Nicola Martell won their high jump - ably supported by the under-15s Sarah Cole and Pippa Knight.

Michelle Holdworth suffered a slight injury to her ankle, but still managed a third place in the triple jump along with Olivia Knight who came second.

On the track, the under-15 girls worked hard in the sun.

Wheatland came second in the 100m in 13.4s and Olivier Claybourne was fourth in 13.6s and then fourth in the 200m.

The senior hurdlers of Catherine Holdsworth and Nicola Martell put in their usual fine displays as did Nicola Gaisford and Hayley Earle.

Published Tuesday August 10, 2004

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