THERE was a great feeling of team spirit among athletes from Ipswich Harriers as they took part in the last of the track and field meetings of the 2002 season.

THERE was a great feeling of team spirit among athletes from Ipswich Harriers as they took part in the last of the track and field meetings of the 2002 season.

They travelled to Bury St Edmunds for the final of the East Anglian League, with all age groups taking part. Some of the best athletes from East Anglia were on display.

There has been a lot of ups and downs within the club this season, so it was good to finish on such a high, and the club gives a big thank-you to all those that took part.

At this final all-age groups are scored separately - and the under-15 girls just missed out on the trophy when Cambridge scored 121 and Ipswich just one and a half points less on 119.5.

Nicole Sadler, continued to show her prowess in the sprints when she equalled the league record for the 200m in 25.6, having already won the 100m. Emily Beckett covered the B strings in the two events giving the club maximum points and gaining herself a new personal best in the 200m with 27.1.

Sarah Tippett added two more first places from the hurdles and long jump and Kerry Fuller was first in the discus. Beck Welbourn again lowered her 800m time which now stands at 2.32.8 all coming in the under-15 girls section.

Another under-15, DeOnte Green continues to leave other boys in his wake when he was the easy winner of the long jump, with a new pb of 6.34m, giving him a 60cm advantage form the second placed boy and he took the win from the 100m.

Ramone Kersey also had two pbs which came from the triple jump with 10.08m and the long jump 4.68m.

It was from the shot and 1500m that Robert Harrington obtained his bests with a throw of 7.20m and a run of 5.02.8.

Steven Welton ran his fastest 400m timed at 57.1 and from the discus both Grant Perking and James Hicks lengthened their throws to 24.91m and 22.30m respectively.

Ben Hanley (under-17) had two more pbs coming from the triple jump when he cleared the 11m mark for the first time with 11.21m and in the long jump stretched to a new 5.31m.

Phil Ormston now has a new time from the hurdles of 19.6, Luke Farris in the 880m 2.29.3 while from the field, Kevin Churchyard put the shot 8.39m and Chris Bullard threw the hammer 20.95m.

The senior men also had two settle for second place when the trophy went to Chelmsford.

Neil Gillingham had another very successful day when he returned three from four pbs from his events, lowering his 100m time to 11.8 when he won the B string event. From the 100m hurdles he lowered his time down to 21.3 and ran the 400m in 53.4.

At the 800m Liam Rutter ran in 2.06.0 and Craig Chudlow did the 200m in 26.8.

On the field Jermaine Bernard had a season's best long jump of 7.11m when he clearly won the event and from the B string Michael Fuller had his best of 5.18m.

Michael took a second best when he threw the hammer 11m and Ian Ling's came from the shot with 7.71m.

Under-17 Louise Morgan took wins from the 100 and 200m A strings, Tasha Double took the B string win in the 100m and long jump with a best leap of 4.67m and Katie Brinkley lowered her 300m time down to 44.3 then went on to win the high jump.

A mention in this age group must be given to Hannah Arbon who has been so consistent all season.

With a lack of actual middle distance runners turning out to the track for league meeting, overall in all age groups, Hannah has been covering both the 800 and 1500m each time to gain those much valued points.

There was only three senior ladies who turned out on this day, Sarah Plumb, Louise Rickard and Laura Anderson.

They worked hard for their points, Sarah covered the 200m, 400m and shot, Louise 100m, triple jump and discus and Laura did the 1500m.

Lucy Taylor for the under-13 girls ran a really strong 200m gaining the win and a new pb of 28.5 then over at the long jump leapt 4.45m to be pipped for the win by just 1cm. Marie Kislak won the B string in the event.

Chesney Webb had an outstanding run in the hurdles giving herself a new time of 13.3 and Rachael Wood's new time for the 800m is 2.45.6.

It was a B string win and a best performance in the long jump for under-13 Tom McCarthy with 4.29m and in the 800m Sam Osborne ran his best time of 2.28.6.

Ipswich Harriers thank Wilkinsons for their continued sponsorship and to say a big thank you to all those who helped make it such a brilliant day for this final.

And look forward with a positive feeling for the start of the next track and field season.