BASINGSTOKE and Mid Hants AC moved up to fourth in the British Athletics League National Division One table with an excellent performance at the second match of the season.

The Down Grange club made the short trip to Southampton without sprint trio Dean Showler-Davis, Kieran Showler-Davis and Myles Richardson but were able to confound expectations by finishing third on the day.

Hayden Carter (800m) and Ryan Bonifas (high jump) both claimed A string victories, while Tom Sycklemoore (800m) and Tony Higbee (110m hurdles) were B string winners.

The return of Ben Hazell also had a massive effect, with the decathlete amassing a total of 46 points from five events, his best result coming in the triple jump, where he finished second.

It was a really solid performance by the Basingstoke team, as athletes chipped in with valuable points across the board.

Team manager Ian Byett said:

"It was an excellent performance. We started off on the right foot, with an early win in the 800m. That got the adrenaline flowing and the rest of the team responded, doing really well.

"The sprints had been our strength, so I must admit that I was a bit pessimistic after losing Dean, Kieran and Myles, but we more than made up for their absence by picking up points elsewhere.

"Ben Hazell returning was a big factor, but I was a bit surprised with how well it went. I had been hoping to finish fifth or sixth, but to finish third, as far clear of fourth as we were, was a joy.

"It is really something to build on in the last two matches. Unless other teams drastically improve, we should avoid relegation."

The club's Southern Athletics League team were unfortunate to finish fourth at an incredibly close match.

They claimed 10 wins over the course of the programme but still ended up bottom of the pile with 169 points, despite being just 8.5 points behind the second-placed team.