WHEN you're fighting for survival in the Southern Women's League Division 2, the last thing you need is a string of injuries and unavailabilites.

Worse still for struggling Winchester & District AC, they faced a host of top-notch athletes in their latest match at Walton-on-Thames including Parkside's track and cross-country international Andrea Whitcombe.

In the circumstances, notching 117 points was a fair achievement, but it does not alter the fact that the Winchester club are still deep in trouble two off the foot of the table.

The jumps were a particular source of satisfaction with Charlotte Beanland again breaking the club under-17 long jump record with 4.46 metres and new high jump specialist Laura Whittaker winning the junior event with 1.45.

Jenna Whittacker, twin sister of Laura, gained valuable points in the javelin and long jump, while middle distance pair Jessica Rosa and Lauren Cochrane each achieved pbs and second places in the under-15 1500m (5.23.6 and 5.34.3).

Jo Hillier looked good in winning the under-17 80m hurdles in a personal best 17.7 seconds despite hitting a hurdle and there were pbs too for veteran Jan Ross in the 800m and 1500m as she did her best to keep pace with Whitcombe.

Match result: Reading 203, Walton 189.5, Bromley 171, Parkside 156.5, Winchester & District 117.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.