Ever improving U15 talent Kai Mumford went to his first National Schools Championships as Hampshire Schools’ number one hammer thrower, ranked sixth in the country and despite incurring injuries his confidence was high off the back of recent performances and that he could compete with the best 12 in England.

Mumford did not disappoint, taking the lead with his first round throw, a new Andover AC club record.

The following rounds saw Mumford battling against two exceptional Berkshire athletes Oliver Hewitt and Bayley Campbell - both above him in the UK rankings. After the preliminary rounds were close fought the pressure began to tell as all three hit the 50m mark with their last throws but all were red flagged.

Mumford split the Berkshire athletes, the eventual result being that his first throw of 49.42m was sufficient to win the silver medal. Now ranked fourth in the UK Mumford’s confidence is sky high, determined to return next year and take gold.

Coach Stuart Jones has guided and developed this young athlete beyond all expectation this season; testimony to the hard working bond that has developed between them.

U17 multi-eventer Evie Wilcox recently joined Andover AC and it was her fourth appearance at the Championships.

She is a highly talented and extremely powerful multi throws athlete and after several weeks of intensive training with coach Jones, she became top Hampshire Schools’ Intermediate Girls discus thrower, resulting in her selection for the English Schools’ Championships’.

Against 14 of the finest Intermediate Girl throwers in England, including fellow Hampshire athlete Emily Green, Wilcox progressed well through the preliminary rounds having thrown a series of new PB’s.

In the fourth round, she produced her best throw of 37.88m securing fourth position just out of the medals. This moved her from 25th to sixth in the national rankings and shows real promise.

Senior boy Matt Chant was part of the four by 100m relay team which made the final.

Senior Girl Amy Jaramazovic was making her first ever ESAA appearance and this likeable and highly talented athlete was drawn in a heat which included two current GB junior internationals.

Despite this Amy gave it her best shot and kept up with the eventual champion through the half-way point to finish just outside her season’s best.

Intermediate Nikko Hunt was unable to replicate this good form in the pole vault but will return to the championships as he is ranked third in the UK.