SOUTHAMPTON AC are celebrating double promotion.

The men's achievement of reaching the top flight of the British Athletics League has been matched by their title-winning ladies who are on an upward path in the UK Women's League.

Buoyed by second place in the opening Division 2 fixture at Chelmsford and an overwhelming home win, Southampton travelled to the final at Sports City, Manchester, in determined mood despite three athletes having to drop out.

They finished runners-up on the day behind hosts Sale Harriers - enough to win the division by five points and secure promotion as champions.

“I am extremely proud of all the athletes who competed this season and honoured to be their team manager,” smiled Tim Hall.

“This promotion was accomplished with a fantastic team spirit and the support and commitment by the athletes to the team. Next season will hold higher quality competition and I am sure all the athletes will be up to the challenge”

Southampton started well on the track with Lizzie Clifford (A 3rd, 62.45) and Chay Clark (B 1st, 67.44) scoring well in the 400m hurdles.

Field-wise, Becky Mulley took A pole vault fourth and Sophie Merritt A discus third (42.56) and, at the halfway point, the team were lying fourth, but with only four points covering the three clubs in contention for the two promotion spots.

More Southampton points were forthcoming with Karla Drew (13.84) and Chay Clark (16.49) finishing first and third in the 100m hurdles and Sophie Merritt (13.30) and Karla Drew (11.24) pulling off a double shot put first.

The middle distance quartet of Georgina Russell, Nicci Blandford, Anna Reavey and Hannah Polden played their part with Russell going mighty close to an A 800m personal best.

Izzy Bryant, Karla Drew and Mandy Gault gained valuable points in the sprints with Gault second in the A 200m (24.86) and Drew the B 100m runner-up.

Vicky Mould (11.03) and Hollie Garrathy (10.49) finished second and first respectively in the A/B triple jump while, in the high jump, six athletes achieved an identical height. Katya Oldfield came equal sixth in the ‘A’ string and Chay Clark was second in the B.

Mandy Gault was victorious in the ‘A’ 400m (54.96) and the 4x100m relay quartet of Mould, Bryant, Drew and Gault were promoted to winners when Sale team were disqualified.

With other results going against Milton Keynes, it's Bedford & County who will join Southampton in Division One next season after edging the second promotion place.

Final Division 2 table: Southampton AC 22, Bedford & County 17, Milton Keynes 17, Sale Harriers 16, Herts Phoenix 11, Havering 11, City of Glasgow 9, City of Liverpool 5.