THERE was a strong performances from all the Basingstoke and Mid Hants athletes at the English Schools Championships in Birmingham last weekend.

Isabel Pinder took a convincing gold in the junior high jump, clearing 1.69m showing great maturity in her first major competition.

Mair Edwards also won gold in the senior 200m, winning the title for the third year running, she also ran the final leg of the Hampshire senior girls 4x100, winning bronze for the team.

To top that, following the championships, she learned she had been selected to join fellow club member, Owen Richardson, at the under-20 European Athletics Championships in Italy next week as part of Great Britain’s 4x400 relay team.

There were bronze medals in the steeplechase for Rebecca Poole and James Beeks.

Poole ran a PB and confirmed her number three ranking in the United Kingdom.

Beeks took turns to lead much of his race but a dramatic fall at the last water jump looked like it might be the end of his medal chances, but a quick and brave recovery secured him bronze and he retained his number two ranking in the UK.

Other highlights include fourth place for Milly Cook in the shot, fourth place for Ben Pattison in the 400m and fifth place for Isobel Mannion in the 1500m, and there was a personal best for Catherine Edwards in the 300m It was a fantastic experience for all the athletes and for many it was their first time at a big championships, and they were all a great credit to their club.

Pictured: Back left to right: Rebecca Poole, Mair Edwards, James Beeks, Will Jones, Jordan Ford, Ben Pattison and Catherine Edwards.

Front left to right: Isabel Pinder, Isobel Mannion and Rebecca Bullock. Not pictured Milly Cook.