TEAM Southampton's young athletes are on the up and up.

Victory in the UKA Young Athletes' League at Poole has confirmed them as champions of the Southern Division 2 South West, guaranteeing them a place in Division 1 next season.

Southampton's sprinters came up trumps with both Bradley Awuah-Peasah and Amy Matthews winning athlete-of-the-match awards. Awuah-Peasah won the under-13 boys' 100m in a zippy 12.2 seconds, while Matthews sped to second in the under-15 girls' 100m in 12.7 and won the 200m in 26.7.

Harpul Chana followed up on his English Schools' success in the discus. Having massively improved his personal best to 41.49 metres in Birmingham, he came up with a more modest 38.01 effort at Poole, but it was still a grade 1 standard.

Chana also won the shot (11.76), completing a virtual clean sweep of victories for Southampton's under-15 boys.

Michelle Hallett made a welcome return to league competition, finishing second in the under-17 A 800m (2.27.6) and A high jump (1.45) and winning the A long jump (4.40).

Mhairi Clair Stewart did a personal best by some 5 seconds in the under-13 girls' 1200m, which was good in hot conditions. At just 11, she still has another year in the age-group.

Keeping up the middle-distance quality was Louise Webb, the junior girls' 1500m bronze medallist at English Schools. This time she tackled the under-15 girls' 800m, winning in 2.22.6.

Team manager Terese Swain reflected: "It's been a pleasure for Des Webb and I to team manage this year. Both the boys and girls filled in to cover events whenever asked to ensure we maximised points. The team spirit was excellent. "A mention must also be given to the officials who have travelled to each match. Paul Ridgley, for example, has always ensured he is there for us."

Match result: Team Southampton 847, Guernsey & Jersey 767, Eastleigh Juniors 320, Havant 316, Dorchester & Wimborne 297, New Forest Juniors 285, Winchester & District 280, Fleet & Crookham 158.