A DEPLETED Colchester Harriers team claimed a fourth-place finish in their final Southern Athletics League division one match of the season, in Southampton.

The Green Vests were competitive throughout and only missed out on third place by four points.

It meant Harriers finished the season in the top half of the division.

Athletes stepped up to do maximum events and there were some outstanding performances.

Senior athletes Robbie Smith and Nicola Martell-Smith managed an incredible 13 events between them, along with some fantastic encouragement to our younger athletes throughout the match.

They both stepped up to help in the 4x400 metres teams, at the end of a tiring day.

Aliyah Soames achieved three new personal bests (PB) on the day in the hammer (19.40m), javelin (28.29m) and shot putt (7.26m).

Akin Akinboh ran a strong 100m into a strong headwind in 11.2 seconds and then broke 23s in the 200m for the first time (22.9s, PB).

Charlie Dobson comfortably won the 100m in 10.8s while Jake Young ran the 400m, finishing second in 50.9s.

He has competed in all five Southern Athletics League meetings, amassing 18 points in the 400m along the way.

Rebecca Jeggo did the sprint double, winning the 100m (12.7s) and 200m (25.3s).

She also ran a leg in the 4x100m and then picked up the baton for the 4x400m, looking very comfortable with a split time of 60s.

Paul Cooper threw a PB in the shot (10.82m) and then followed up with a PB in the hammer (28.38m).

He also threw a fine 49.68m to win the javelin.

Ben Halls ran a PB to win the B string 2k steeplechase in 7.04.1 while Megan Stevens clocked 70.2 a new PB on her 400m debut before registering a PB of 7.87m, in the triple jump.

Joe Wilkin also ran the 400m for the first time this year in 56.1 with an incredible dip finish.

Calum McKay stepped up to compete the TJ for the first time ever managing 9.20 he also ran a leg of the 4 x 400m and a non-scoring 100M

Katie Rice picked up the senior shot and scored points with a PB throw of 4.32m and Jenny Palmer ran the A string 400m in 67.9s and also threw PBs in the discus (15.54m) and javelin (8.03m), while also running the final leg of the 4x400m relay.

Nicola Martell-Smith competed in the discus (fourth, 11m), hammer (second, 23.55m), 400m hurdles (first, 69.3s), high jump (second, 1.50m), triple jump (third, 8.63m), 110m hurdles (second, 16.9m) and the first leg of the 4x400m.

Robbie Smith competed in the discus (third, 17.59m, hammer (fourth, 11.28m), 110m hurdles (third, 16.9s), 400m hurdles (third, 67.6s), 2,000m steeplechase (second, PB) and the last leg of the 4x400m.

Stepping up to the Southern Athletics League for the first time this year, Joseph Clarke has become an important member of the Harriers team.

He competed in the long jump (5.19m), triple jump (10.98m) and 200m and also ran the third leg in the 4x100m with Charlie Dobson, Jake Young and Akin Akinboah to help secure a first-place finish and just miss out on a new senior club record.

Ermeas Afeweki was third in the 5k in 4m 17.1s while Ziggy Lambton was second in the B string (4m 20.8s).

Adam Sawyer was third in the men’s A 5k in 16m 55.7s and Joe Patterson was third in the B race (17m 42.4s).

In the men's A 800m race, Tom Palmer was second in 2m 03.6s while Oscar Dawson won the B string race (2m 03.7s).

Stacy Eyers carried a hamstring injury into the 800m but finished second, in 2m 26.6s.