The meet brought together the best athletes in each event based on the results from the respective English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish schools championships.

The clubs sprinting sensation Alex Nelson continued his unbeaten 2003 campaign with victory in the 100m, a solid third place for Jackson and an unfortunate bad day of the office for Williams.

The line up for the 100m threw up perhaps Nelson’s strongest test of the season in the shape of Andrew Watkins (Wales). Watkins who topped last years U15 boys 100m rankings ahead of Nelson last year had recently returned from the World Youth Championships in Canada where he had placed sixth over 200m.

Many anticipated a close battle between the two and Nelsons team mate Ryan Pierre, but the main challengers couldn’t get near the dominant Nelson as he powered to victory clocking 11.15 running into a 3.2m per/second head wind.

Given the conditions and size of his victory (Watkins was a distant second in 11.27, with Pierre who ran 10.75 at the previous schools only able to produce 11.57 in the atrocious conditions) Nelson now looks set to challenge the U.K’s number 1 Craig Pickering who was third at the World Youth Championships, when the pair meet at the National AAA’s in August.

In the girl’s competition Emma Jackson, who is already an England School’s representative over the Cross Country in 2002, showed her track form is just as good after being selected to compete in the 800m.

England were expected to claim maximum in points in the event with Jackson and team mate Nikki Hamblin the fastest on paper. The England duo were to the fore from the off, but while Hamblin powered to a emphatic five second victory, Jackson faded and was just pipped by Debbie Williams (Wales) for second place.

Jackson was clearly disappointed having pushed Hamblin so close the previous weekend but was delighted to part of a dominant England’s team who scooped victory by 99 points.

The big surprise came in the pole vault as the extremely consistent Alex Williams who was expected to take victory unfortunately no heighted. Along with Jackson and Nelson though, he will be a strong favourite to gain selection for this event next year, and if successful will be given the opportunity to redeem himself.

1. England 258
2. Scotland 139
3. Ireland 136
4. Wales 123

100m (-3.2)
1. Alex Nelson (England) 11.15

Pole Vault
Alex Williams (England) No Height

4x100m
England (Wade Bennet Jackson, Julian Thomas, Rion Pierre, Nelson) DNF

1. England 249
2. Scotland 150
3. Ireland 126
4. Wales 103

800m
3. Emma Jackson (England) 2.16.37

1. England 507
2. Scotland 289
3. Ireland 262
4. Wales 226

Full results from the match can be found at www.welshathletics.org/results/2003%20T&F/SIAB_2003_Cardiff.doc