Rosie runner-up in Schools International

Finishing second in the national Schools Championships guaranteed Rosie Johnson another England vest for the Home Countries International in Cardiff. Having lost marginally in the Intermediate 1500m Championship race to the talented Sabrinha Sinah (Kent) this was going to be another nail-biting encounter. Rosie chose to lead on this occasion but Sinah covered her all the way to the finishing straight when a burst took her to victory in 4.23.35 to Rosie`s 4.23.89. The rest were, as usual, spectators. Obviously a disappointment for Rosie but this has been another remarkable season for the Rainford girl and there is yet more to come.

Three other Liverpool Pembroke Sefton athletes were at Loughborough for an open graded meeting that attracted numerous overseas athletes here for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The trio, all former Edge Hill University students, were 400m runners Nathan Hilton, Harry Doran and Danny Higham. Nathan went excruciatingly close to the 48 second barrier with 48.04 while Harry showed a return to form with 48.60. Danny was equally pleased with 48.94. There are few clubs that can boast three sub-49 second runners.

There was a similar graded meet in Birmingham`s Alexander Stadium again attracting Commonwealth Games aspirants. U17 Evelyn Smalley jumped 4.60m and Dave Brown threw a season`s best Javelin of 40.05m plus a decent Discus pitch of 31.51m.

Charles Gains