Some of Stokes finest up and coming senior athletes were present at the annual match that featured the top U23 athletes from their respective regions of the United Kingdom.

First up on the track was David Brackstone in his main event the 400m hurdles. Since his great start to the season claiming bronze at the BUSA champs right at the beginning of May, the talented hurdler has been injured. In what was his third outing since his return, and his first over the hurdles, he ran well, equalling his personal best of 52.60 to place fourth in a high quality field led home by BUSA and National U23 champion Steve Surety (South of England) who broke the Championship best performance with 50.80

Another athlete on the comeback trail is Heptathlete Natalie Hulse. After a brief absence from the sport she continued her comeback when placing fourth in the high jump recording a leap of 1.68.

The remaining club athletes, Matt Jones, Alex Wright and Nikki Daniels took part in the 1500m. Daniels faired the best out of the trio placing third in a new personal best of 4:35.9. She maturely produced an even paced run and was closing down the home straight on Scotland’s Morag McCarthy but just ran out of track.

In the men’s race Jones and Wright followed a steady pace through the early stages and both were still in contention at the bell. In the inevitable sprint for home neither had enough reserve to mount a challenge as the field was led home by AAA U23 Bronze medallist Tom Carter (North of England) who won easily in 3:51.6.

Full results from the meeting can be found at www.noeaa-athletics.org.uk/results/2002/ and click on the Cleveland Cup

Stoke AC Results

Men

400m hurdles
4. David Brackstone (North of England) 52.60

1500m
6. Alex Wright (Midlands) 3:55.6
7. Matt Jones (Wales) 3:57.30

Women

1500m
3. Nikki Daniel’s (Midlands) 4:35.9

High Jump
4. Natalie Hulse (Midlands) 1.68