Colchester Harriers claimed second place in the highly competitive Southern Athletics League Division One meeting, held in Harrow.

Charlie Dobson and Philippa Davenhall were the star attractions as they won performances of the day in the 200 metres and the hammer throw.

Dobson clinched a personal best in the 200m to take second place, after an earlier victory in the ‘A’ string 100m.

Davenhall sealed victory in the hammer with a throw of 54.26secs, before topping off a superb day’s action with a personal best in the shot putt.

Veteran over-55 runner Colin Ridley rolled back the years with a stunning third place in the ‘A’ string 1,500m. Ridley’s time of 4mins 32.2secs puts him second in the UK for his age group at this distance.

Also for the men, Matthew Rose had a busy day competing in four events, capped off with victory in the Men’s ‘A’ string 110m hurdles. Paul Clifford also gained victory in the ‘B’ string 400m in 52.4secs.

He was followed by Anthony Barraclough, who gained a personal best of 9:55.3 in the 3,000m, but somehow had enough energy to finish second in the ‘B’ string 1,500m.

Thomas Mitchell and Jordan Fester also chipped in with three and four events each, including a second place in the ‘B’ string javelin for Jordan and a personal best for Thomas in the discus.

On the women’s side, Caitlin O`Reilly and Kelly Sutton headed the team in the sprint distances. Caitlin came first in the 100m before being narrowly pipped to the line in the 200m by just one tenth of a second.

Suton, getting back to the form that took her into the top 20 in the country for her age group just a few years ago, came away with victory in the 200m as well as a narrow second place in the 100m.

The women were also busy with Helen Bloomfield clocking up four events, including personal bests in the 1,500m and the 400m hurdles.

She was followed by Lucy Mapp, who as well as competing in three field events including victory in the discus. She managed to save enough energy to claim a personal best in the 1,500m steeplechase.

Jade Morgan had a busy day in the field, including a victory in the shot putt. Filipa Mcqueen clinched two personal bests in the hurdles and still managed to win the ‘B’ string 400m hurdles, despite falling twice.

The team capped off a great day’s work with victory in the women’s 4x100m relay, and second place in both the men’s and women’s 4x400m.

It was certainly a credit for the Harriers to finish in second spot against such strong opposition.

The Harriers will be back in Southern League action when they host the next league meeting on Saturday, June 17.

Other Colchester Harriers results at Harrow:

Men: Joseph Wilkin – 100m - 11.7s, 200m – 23.5s. Jake Young – 400m – 51.5s, High Jump – 1.43m. Paul Clifford – 800m – 2:00.7s. Chris Sellens – 800m – 2:13.1s. 3K Steeplchease – 11:05.5s.

Paul Strutt – Hammer – 12.12m, 110h – 37.1s. Ben Halls – 3K Steeplechase – 11:18.2s, Tom Cresswell – 3000m - 10:23s, 800m – 2:23.7s. Ben Argent – Triple Jump – 10.14m.

Paul Young – Hammer Throw – 14.26m. Paul Cooper – Javelin Throw – 48.80m. Daniell Jones – 400m – 54.5s. Saumel Shorter – 800m – 2:09.7s. Paul Preston – 800m – 2:28.5s. Peter West – 3000m – 10:41.9s. Arthur Whiston – 3000m – 12:25.0s. Thomas Mitchell – Javelin Throw – 44.92m.

Women: Stacey Eyers – 400m – 61.9s, 800m – 2:21.2s. Denise Morley – 800m – 2:22.8s. 1500m – 5:00.7s. Sarah Sellens – 5000m – 21:12.3s. Lauren Strutt – High Jump – 1.38m (PB). Courtney Bland – Long Jump – 4.22m. Triple jump – 8.94m. Megan Stevens 100m 13.3s. Katie Rice – 100m – 3.9s.

Anna Taylor – 100m – 14.1s. Savannah Harrison – 100m – 14.1s. Katie Rice – 200m – 28.1s. Lauren Strutt – Long Jump – 4.52m.

- Meanwhile, the Colchester Harriers duo of James Wright and Paul Rodgers enjoyed the 18.6-mile Bury to Clare off-road race. Both went off course numerous times, as happens in these races, but both recovered with Wright finishing second and Rodgers in sixth overall.

The Paras ‘10’ is a tough off-road race, including a river crossing and smoke bombs, but the three Colchester Harriers in action also finished.

David Wright was 18th overall in 1hr 16mins and was second in the man-and-dog category, while Pat Marsh ran well to finish 24th in 1:22, with Fay Smalls bravely finishing in 1:45.

Elsewhere, at the Mersea Parkrun, Ziggy Lampton swept to victory, with Richard Flutter runner-up and fellow Harrier Debbie Cattermole first lady.