ATHLETES from Basingstoke and Mid Hants produced a fine display to finish third in their second British Athletics League National Division One match.

The meeting was held at Windsor, Slough, Eton and Hounslow’s track in Berkshire and Basingstoke were able to send a strong men’s team.

They claimed a double victory in the 400m hurdles, as well as picking up seven second place finishes, to come third overall, a result that moves them up a place to third in the league table.

The Down Grange club were vying for third with Kent AC throughout the afternoon and went into the final event, the 4x400m, 10 points behind.

However, while Basingstoke’s quartet of Louis Sellers, Richard Fox, Ben Hazell and Mark Berridge finished second, Kent’s team were disqualified.

This allowed Basingstoke to leapfrog them and claim third overall, behind Belgrave Harriers and the home club, a result that leaves Ian Byett’s side third in the league table.

“At the start of the season we were looking to finish in mid-table,” team manager Byett said. “If we are able to finish third it would be beyond our expectations but that is what we are looking to hold on to now.

“It was a battle during the afternoon between us and Kent, but we were delighted to edge them out on the relay, which we ran well.”

Earlier in the afternoon, Andy Blow and Fox had stared in the 400m hurdles, Blow claiming the A race in a new club record and personal best time of 50.90sec and Fox winning the B race in 52.90sec, also a personal best.

John Hutchins finished second in the A 5,000m, a feat that multi-eventer Hazell equalled in the A discus. Hazell had a busy afternoon, claiming another second place in the B high jump and competing in the javelin, pole vault and shot as well as running a leg of the 400m relay.

Simon Williams claimed two second place finishes, in the B shot and discus, while Ben Moreau was runner up in the B 1,500m and Louis Sellers came second in the B 400m. Berridge was the other Basingstoke man to claim a podium place, finishing third in the A 400m.

The third-place finish is one better than Basingstoke managed in their opening match and Byett is delighted with the way the season is going.

“We were confident that we could do the same again and as it turned out we performed even better,” he said. “We have been very consistent at both meetings and in this type of league, that is what is required.”

Their next match is on August 3, when Basingstoke will make the long trip to Gateshead.