Nestl Rowntree Athletics Club junior (under-20s) team got their season off to a flying start with an impressive victory in the first match of the season, a National Junior League event at Cleckheaton.

The York athletes produced a fantastic team performance to thrash their seven opponents from across the Pennine region. Rowntree finished with 559 points, way ahead of second-placed Spenborough (376) and third-placed Harrogate (375).

In the men's events, there were wins in the A-string competition for Ali Smith (800m, 1min 59.8sec), Seb Batchelor (3000m, 9min 28.9sec), Chris Gill (discus, 29.95m) and Nathan Forrest (javelin, 55.47m, and triple jump, 11.84m).

Forrest got the athlete of the match award for his very impressive javelin throw.

For the women, there were A-string wins for Jess Taylor (200m, 26sec, and 100m hurdles, 16.5sec), Charlotte Maxted (1500m, 5min 21.6sec), Vicky Needham (3000m, 10min 52.7sec, and pole vault, 1.75m) and Alice McCabe (400m hurdles, 69.3sec).

There were excellent performances by Rowntree athletes across all the events and the York team cheered three of their relay teams to victory at the end of the meeting.

Updated: 10:07 Saturday, May 06, 2006