TERRY Feasey showed he is an increasing force to be reckoned with in the national middle-distance ranks at the weekend.

For the second year running, the Basingstoke and Mid-Hants star took the 800 metres bronze medal at the AAA indoor championships in Birmingham, which doubled as the world championship trials.

The 25-year-old now has a unique claim among the current crop of national elite middle-distance runners of reaching the last three national finals - two indoors and one outdoors.

In his heat, the Barry Kitcher-trained Feasey finished second behind UK number one Chris Moss, the only entrant to have run a world indoor championships qualifying time.

In a slow, tactical final, Moss was beaten into second place by his Belgrave Harriers clubmate Neil Speaight, with the winner's time of 1min 51.99sec well outside the qualifying time of 1:48.25.

After 17-year-old Richard Davenport (Gloucester AC) led the field through 400 metres in 57.37, Speaight struck decisively as they approached the bell and opened a two-metre lead, which he was able to hold on to.

Moss was timed at 1:52.34 while Feasey clocked 1:53.55, compared to his heat time of 1:52.30. Moss will accompany last year's winner, Ulster-born James McIlroy (Windsor, Slough, Eton and Hounslow), in the British team at the world indoor championships next weekend at the same Birmingham venue.

Kitcher said: "It was very difficult for him to pick up the pace."

Feasey's hamstring problems of last year are now behind him and his winter training is going very well.

Kitcher believes a time of 1:48 is possible for his charge as he targets honours in the county, Southern and AAA outdoor championships this summer.

Another runner from the Kitcher stable, Phil Tulba, is trying for a world cross-country championship team place at Brighton later this month.

After that the two Basingstoke runners and their coach will go to Portugal for warm-weather training.