ATHLETICS: BECKY LAWRENCE again took centre stage at the Wiltshire County Championships at Swindon's County Ground track with a hat-trick of gold medals.

Twelve months ago the 15-year-old Swindon Harrier from Old Town romped to victory in the Under 15s 100m, 200m and long jump events.

On Sunday, Lawrence, a student at Commonweal School, stepped up into the Under 17 women's age group and was again in excellent form, winning the 100m, long jump and triple jump titles.

"Becky was superb," said her coach Tony Jackson.

"She set another personal best in the triple jump, had a very good long jump and breezed to victory in the 100. She had a great day."

Lawrence was understandably delighted, particularly with her effort of 10.59m in the triple jump.

"My best before was 10.33m so I was very pleased with that especially as I only started doing the event a couple of weeks ago," said Lawrence.

"I am aiming to get the English Schools' qualifying standard of 10.70m and hopefully that will come soon."

The long jump was a very good event for Swindon as Lawrence led a clean sweep of the medals, with April Watts second and Laura Mackie third.

Mackie also picked up a second bronze in the Under 17s 200m.

"It is good to see Laura coming back into form," added Jackson.

The Batsford twins, coached by Corrine Hunter, enjoyed a good day with Stuart winning the Under 17 men's 800m and adding a bronze in the 1500m.

Pride of place in that race went to brother Richard finishing runner-up behind runway winner Thomas Woodhouse of Salisbury.

The Rees family also did well with John Rees winning the Under 15 boys 800m and Tom claiming a bronze medal in the Under 17 men's 100m.

Not to be outdone, Lawrence Rees sprinted to victory in the Under 11 boys' 150m.

There were further golds for Jordan Carey in the Under 15 boys' high jump, Zoe Lake in the Under 15 girls' discus and Matthew Sambrook (Under 11 boys long jump).

"Jordan shocks me every time he competes because he only did the high jump as there wasn't a pole vault," explained Jackson.

And in the Under 13 boys' long jump Will Baker showed he can perform on the big occasion with a personal best of 4.35m to claim the title from Swindon clubmates M Tanner and D Bowels.

Jasmine Smith won the Under 17s 1500m and Natasha Zebroski equalled her personal best of 13.29secs to finish second in the Under 15 girls' 100m and added a bronze in the 200m.

Four new county best performances were set at Swindon, all by athletes from Marlborough Juniors.

  • Swindon Harrier Ken Jackson finished runner-up in the senior men's long jump (5.05m) at the West of England Championships, held in Yate.

Chippenham sprinter Elaine O'Neill won silver medals in both the Under 20s 100m (12.3secs) and 200m (25.2secs).