While the two Southend Highs continued the overall domination they've enjoyed for many years at the senior schools Borough Sports athletic championships at Garon's Park, St Bernards continued the giant strides they have made in recent years on the girls' front.

Westcliff based St Bernards took over from Westcliff High as Southend High's closest challengers last year and solidly confirmed that situation this time round - actually pipping the champions by just three points for the year nine award.

They took that with 121 points against Southend's 118. Overall, Southend's winning tally was 538 against 374 for the Saints with Westcliff third on 241.

Year seven had gone to Southend on 124 from Westcliff on 82, but apart from that it was a straight Southend High v St Bernards battle all the way.

Southend took year eight 126-92 and year ten 170-99. They collected the track cup by a 238-160 tally and the field events' trophy 236-156. Southend collected the relay trophy by a narrow 64-58 margin.

In the boys' competition, Southend were untouchable in first place for all the trophies.

They took the overall honours on 713.5 from Westcliff 372. The age group and other trophies saw a variety of schools battling for second place glory.

In year seven, Westcliff were on 95 behind Southend's 152.5 and in year eight it was Cecil Jones (99) who came closest to challenging Southend (187).

Year nine saw Westcliff in second place with a 118 total, but still a long way behind the 183 of the champions.

Southend romped away with year ten on 191 from St Thomas More (92). On the track Southend had 290 points with Westcliff runners-up on 190.

A huge margin separated Southend (375.5) from Cecil Jones (152) in the field, but relays were closer with the winners on 66 and second-placed Westcliff on 59.

Aiming high - Prittlewell School's Vlora Shala about to send the javelin into orbit in the year eight girls competition

Setting her sights - Jennifer Moss prepares to throw the discus for Southend High (right) while (below) it's baton changing time in the 4x100 metre boys relay. Both were year eight events

Pictures: STEPHEN LLOYD

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