Southend made it a golden double at this year's BAA Stansted Essex Youth Games yesterday.

The borough triumphed at last year's games -- held at Basildon's Gloucester Park -- and made it back-to-back wins by taking the honours on home soil.

Full flight - Kingsdown School's James Ireland, 11, represented Southend in the turbo javelin event Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

More than 2,000 young people aged between nine and 15 contested nine different sports at venues around Southend.

The competitors represented eight areas of Essex, with the south of the county being represented by Southend, Castle Point & Rochford, Basildon & Brentwood and Thurrock.

Basildon & Brentwood slipped from last year's second spot to fourth this time, while Castle Point & Rochford were joint third last year but finished sixth yesterday.

Thurrock went one better than in 2002 by finishing fifth.

On the offensive - Thurrock's wing attack pushes forward during the netball competition Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

The games were based at Garon Park, Eastern Avenue, Southend, with the swimming events at Warriors Swim Centre and rugby and hockey taking place at Warners Bridge Park.

It is the sixth time the games have been staged. The event is organised by Essex Active Sport and Sport England.

Published Monday, June 23, 2003

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