ATHLETICS: CHESHIRE Tigers' ladies squad retained second place overall in the under-20s National Junior Track and Field League by finishing runners-up on Sunday in the third round at the Bebington Oval.

Nicola Gore grabbed victory in the hammer with a throw of 30.15m and went on to provide placed performances in shot, discus, and javelin.

Nicky Archer showed impressive pace to clinch victory in the 3,000m with a time of 11 minutes 28.4 seconds, while Michelle Robbins sealed success in the triple jump with 10.66m.

Leanne Henning won the B 200m, Fiona Rudkin claimed second spot in the 800m and Emma-Leigh Heighway clocked B race double successes in the 800m and 1,500m.

Catriona Boyd and Lucy Knight secured second place finishes in the 400m hurdles and Natalie Abrams won the B triple jump with 9.92m.

Tigers' depleted men's squad produced a series of quality performances to finish sixth on the day and are in sixth place overall.

Stephen Butterfield equalled his personal best of 11.1 seconds in the 100m for victory and Chris Rushton put in two exceptional sprinting performances, securing success after clocking 11.7 for his 100m B race and then posting victory in the 200m B event in 23.9.

Andrew Gore showed stamina, strength and determination to win the B 400m hurdles race after Thomas Stringer had dug deep to clock 60 seconds for second spot in the A race.

Stephen Mitchell clocked 4:40.9 in his 1,500m debut for Tigers and Nick Clay made a welcome return to 400m running.

* Fixtures this week include the fourth round of the Northern Track and Field League for West Cheshire AC at Longford Park, Trafford, Manchester, on Sunday.

Entries are now being accepted for West Cheshire AC's Sutton Six 10km Road Race, being held at Guilden Sutton, Chester, on Sunday, September 21, from 11am. Further details are available from Richard Batterham, Ranelagh, School Lane, Guilden Sutton, Chester CH3 7ET.