DESPITE leading for much of the competition, New Forest Juniors had to settle for second place behind hosts Isle of Wight in the final Wessex Young Athletes' League meet of the season.

However, the club’s under-13 boys and girls both won their respective age-groups and, depending on the outcome of this Sunday’s matches, the boys’ team could win the series outright. They are already assured of at least sharing the title with Camberley.

NFJ’s Quadkids (under-11s) lead the overall table but, like the U13 boys, must wait until the weekend to see if they finish top of the league.

Sam Cooper, one of two only U17 men available, celebrated a fine trio of wins in the 200 metres (24.9 seconds), 400m (54.4s) and long jump (5.73 metres).

Fresh back from the English Schools’ Championships, Jess Gordon won the U17 women’s high jump with 1.62m and was second in the 200m (28.5s).

Lily Thurbon-Smith claimed two victories (U13 girls’ 100m, 13.4; 200m, 27.7) plus long jump second (4.49).

U15 boy Rhys Allen topped the shot (8.95) and took seconds in the discus (28.65) and javelin (34.83).

Thomas Forster continued his fine season by winning the U13 boys’ 800m in 2.25.9.

U15 girl Caitlin Smith produced three good performances in the field. She won her favourite event, the javelin, with 29.98 and came runner-up in shot (7.31) and discus (21.15).

Amelia Gordon was third in the U13 girls’ discus, her throw of 17.75 breaking the club record set in 2003. Elsa Smith was second in the B 200m (29.4), third in the A 70m hurdles (12.6) and second in the A high jump (1.35), Anise Mellodey won the B discus (14.17), Hayley Starns came third in the A 1200m (4.18.8) and Lilly Jones topped the B 1200m (4.31.3) and the B 70m hurdles (14.0).

While wins were relatively rare for the U13 boys, Will Squires, Oliver Miell, Jasper Quarenden, Jake Clark, Flynn Dodkin, Lukas Rose and Daniel Williams chipped in with a major points haul. The same went for Robert Jones, Jay Turner, Oakley Sparsholt-Thompson for the U15 boys.

There were four good results at U15 girls’ level, namely Rebecca Mitchell (2nd A 800m, 2.33.9), Jasmine Griscti (1st B 200m, 28.7) and Courtney Page who was both B shot (5.96m) and B javelin (13.22) runner-up.

The Juniors’ Quadkids were first overall on the day.

Rebekah Smith came top girl with 214 points, backed by Florrie Siderfin (4th, 198) and Elodie Marsh (10th, 181).

Max Turner (237) finished fourth boy, Jon Pepin was sixth (226), Tommy Budworth ninth (208), Harley Page tenth (205) and Will Bradfield 11th (203). Both the boys’ and girls’ teams were second.

Match result: Isle of Wight 445, New Forest Juniors 405, City of Portsmouth 315, Southampton 295, Marlborough 291, Aldershot 258.