Emphatic victory on home turf ensures promotion

ATHLETICS: ST ALBANS AC stormed into the Premier Division of the National Young Athletes League with an emphatic victory at Westminster Lodge on Sunday.

Almost 60 athletes contributed to an outstanding team effort as St Albans

(790pts) proved far too strong for visitors Dartford (388pts).

Having won all four NYAL matches this summer, St Albans now face the prospecf of mixing with the premiership big clubs like Enfield & Harringay, Harrow and Shaftesbury Barnet.

Coach Tim Higman said: ‘This is a phenomenal achievement for a small club and one built on a squad which has both strength in depth and top quality athletes.

‘Both those assets will be needed when we reach the new territory of the premier division.’

Sprinkled through an afternoon of numerous personal bests were three stand-out efforts which set new club records.

These were headed by Luke Yaxley, who won the U17 400m Hurdles in 60.0secs.

In the sprint hurdles, Christian Gaddes lowered the club to 14.0secs with his victory in the U17 100m Hurdles.

And Alix Smith extended her U17 Hammer record for the third consecutive meeting with a throw of 21.43m.