Attention on Sunday centred on Basildon AC high jumper Darryl Stone as the pupil from Thundersley's King John School attempted to repeat the 2.03m leap which won him the intermediate boys English Schools' individual title at Bury St Edmunds a fortnight ago.

Stone just missed out on improving on a winning jump of two metres dead, but it was again thrilling athletics for those who braved temperatures well into the 80s to watch and compete.

At the open meeting Southend club titles went to home competitors who finished highest in their particular events and Kristina Marshall walked off with four in the under-13 girls.

Having won the 1500m, she was runner-up to one of the most successful visiting athletes, Havering's Caroline Smith, in discus, long jump and 100m.

Sisters Sarah and Carla Raven collected doubles for the family with respective wins in the under-17 and under-15 1500m, while Amy Rhodes kept the home flag flying by seeing off Basildon rivals Donna Quinn and Louise Miles in the under-15 girls' 100m.

Southend's Jon Weaver, who enjoyed a hugely successful first session in the club championships, added to his silverware here with the under-17 3000m title among his prizes.

Southend, obviously hoping to attract new up-and-coming talent at their Open, staged special 70 metre races for under-11s with prizes for all. Zoe Young (Hockley Primary School) won the girls in 11.2 and Kieran Quinn (Crowstone Preparatory) took one of the boys events in 11.1.

Sunday's league affair saw Havering easily see off the challenge of Basildon, Thurrock and the host club.

All teams were weakened by holiday calls, but there were again some great performances from the youngsters.

Supporters were given the chance to see a number of the outstanding athletes from the Southend High for Girls team that won the national schools track and field junior team cup earlier in the month show their ability.

Rebecca Jones, competing for Basildon, pulled off a superb under-13 long jump, 100 and 200m treble, while the home club's Kristina Marshall left the rest of the field trailing in her wake with an outstanding time in the 1500m.

Attention at the Southend Club now switches to the men next Saturday when they visit St Ives in Cambridgeshire knowing that victory will see them to promotion in the Southern Men's League with six wins out of six.

Medal haul - under-15 discus champ Kayleigh Hooper from Southend (centre) with second-placed Amy Rhodes from Southend (left) and third-placed Louise Miles from Basildon

Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.