ATHLETICS: Swindon Harriers ended the second Mens Southern League Division One match at Braunton, in Devon, in fifth place.

The host club North Devon won yet another close match, as an under strength team travelled from Swindon.

The team's star masters athlete, Howard Moscrop, had to pull out at the last minute with a heavy cold. This was the first league match he has missed in more than 10 years.

Swindon did have their moments of dominance.

In the 800 metres Andy Fulford showed class by running a superb tactical race.

He surged ahead on the last bend and was able to ease up in the last 30 metres, winning in 1:58.1.

Mark Harris also ran the B race tactically well, the tempo seeming to suit him.

He was also able to ease up well before the line on his way to victory.

Later in the meeting both Fulford and Harris took complete control from the start of the 3000m steeplechase.

Neither were tested and they came in first A and B string respectively.

David Taylor was another winner in the A string 110m hurdles.

He had to modify his stride between hurdles in the windy conditions but controlled the race and churned out a personal best of 15.1 seconds.

Taylor had another personal best of 22.6 seconds when finishing a close third in the A string 200m.

Tim Beech finished strongly in the home straight to finish second B string in 23.5 seconds.

The long and triple jumpers had to compete into a strong headwind.

Kenton Mielnik and Tony Jackson competed well again in the triple jump.

Both claimed second places in the A and B string respectively.

Mielnik (12.45) was only three centimetres behind the winner, while Lucas Burns gained a third place in B long jump.

Taylor (1.75m) shared the same height as the winner in the A high jump, but had to settle for second place on countback.

The pole vault was being competed in for over an hour before a decision was made to abandon it on safety grounds, with under 17 athlete Rob Warensjo was well poised to finish in a top two position in that event.

There was some strong opposition in the throws, especially in the javelin and, in particular, from Bournemouth.

Despite this, Allan Webb was able to gain two third places in B string in the hammer and discus.

Other third places went to Taylor in the A 100 metres, Burns in the B 400 metres, Paul Key in the A 1500 metres and B 400m hurdles and the 4x400m relay.

Other athletes picking up points included Steve Paddock, Ken Jackson and Ashley Fox.

The next match is in Swindon on June 3.

Match Score: North Devon 124 pts, Bournemouth 105, Serpentine 104, Winchester 96.5, Swindon Harriers 95.5.