IN their latest Eastern Young Athletics League (EYAL) meeting Basildon came a close second at the Sporting Village behind rivals Stevenage.

This was despite the New Towners recording their highest points score of the season so far with all the six age groups finishing in second place.

In a competitive under-13 girls age group there were strong A-string wins from Keirra Scott (1,500m 5m 32.3s) and Jessica Krise (high jump, 1.40m), while Abigail Ives (800m, 2:35.6) just missed out on victory.

In the under-13 boys there were A-string wins from Beau Blewitt (1,500m 5:00.9), Joshua McGill (high jump, 1.30m) and Aaron Cummings discus 18.97m). While there were second places from Cameron McMeekin (shot 6.38m) and Aaron Cummings (javelin 26.44m).

The under-15 boys provided plenty of A-string wins with William Harland-Dornan (100m 12.0s), Harrison Chapman (300m 40.1s), Oliver Lill (800m 2:18.8), Xander Styles (high jump 1.66m), Jess Walker (javelin 37.01m). There were also ‘A’ string 2nd places from Harrison Chapman (80mH 12.1s), Andrei Gare (PV 1.7m), Jess Walker (Shot 10.38m) & William Harland-Dornan (hammer 27.61m), while the relay team of Charlie Matfield, Chapman, Ogunmola & Harland-Dornan pipped Stevenage to a win in a swift 49.7s.

There was a double A-string win for Kiera Bainsfair in the under-15 girls in the 75m hurdles (11.7s) and high jump (1.45m) with Evie Howie (100m 13.2s) Basildon’s other A-string winner.

Second-placed A-strings came from Ellie Reynolds (200m 27.5s & 300m 44.7s) and Devon Matthews (hammer 21.32m).

For the under-17 women there were A-string wins from Shannon McNeil (long jump 4.70m), Meg Rapley (triple jump 9.76m) and Katie Short (discus 21.11m).

Michael Shields (100m 11.6s & 100m hurdles 13.2s) powered to double A-string wins for the under-17 men age group.

Further A-string wins came from Tom Starling in the 200m (23.8s) and Harry Smith in the shot (12.78m).

The relay team of Bradley Hart, Gilbertson, Dan Mitchell and Tom Starling rounded the day off with victory.

Final results: 1st Stevenage 807 points, 2nd Basildon 793 points, 3rd Norwich 616 points, 4th St Albans 535 points, 5th Braintree 433 points, 6th Colchester 227 points.