The Croydon Harriers National Young Athletes team travelled to Lea Valley on Sunday and opened their campaign in fine style, In their three cornered match, they often matched powerful hosts Enfield and Haringey and finally took an excellent second spot ahead of Havering-Mayesbrook whom they had not beaten previously for eight years.

Maximum points from the first event, the hurdles was just the start they needed and a string of successes followed throughout the afternoon, culminating with a sensational win in the U17 4x400m relay snatched from the fangs of failure by anchor man Omari Carr-Miller who scorched round the final lap in under 49 seconds, turning a 30m deficit into a triumph.

The Croydon boys and girls turned on a true team performance, exemplified by Trinity student Carr-Miller who in addition to winning his individual 200m also ran in the winning 4x100m team and covered the B discus slot for precious points.

The team can thank him and several others filling B places which contributed to the clubs small but vital 8 point cushion over Havering-Mayesbrook..

There were many outstanding performances, but none could match Shirin Irving’s three high class victories and her contribution in the winning U15 4x 100m team.

She dominated the long jump, hurdles, shot and, with her 5.58m leap in the first taking her to the top of the UK ranking and beating he club record by 2cm.

Her hurdles victory in 11.3 sec, just 0.2 sec shy of the club record suggests that it will go soon while her best effort of 11.24m in the shot currently ranks her 4th in the UK.

Elsewhere, whether it was running, jumping or throwing, the Croydon youngsters displayed super team spirit, which if supplemented by recruiting especially in the U17 girl’s category, is indicative of a successful season.

The middle distance runners all acquitted themselves well with their best result coming from tromp Patrick Lucas and Femi Agbetoyin who achieved a clinical execution of their rivals in a tactical U17 800m.

U13 1500m runner Omar Harahara raced with his customary confidence to win by a massive 30sec margin in 5:07.3.

Peter Chambers and Dom Nolan only dropped two points in their demanding 1500m/300m double, and U15 Stevie Lawrence and U17 Charlotte Cavanagh also both ran tactically sound races in the windy conditions, to take impressive second places.

The clubs sprinters’ afternoon was marred by an injury to Leona Bracko, but overall their contribution was well up to their customary high standard, culminating with three wins from the six 4x100m relays.

The U13 boys’ team was outstanding, finishing a full second ahead of the host club in 56.1sec.

Next weekend most of the Harriers young athletes will be competing for county glory at Kingsmeadow, and will resume UK Young Athletes’ action at Croydon on Sunday 22nd May.