It was a solid start to the season with a good blend of youth and experience as the Southern Men's squad lost out to Herts Phoenix at Hemel Hempstead on Saturday.

Joseph Ramie completed a quadruple of A string wins doing the sprint double and the long and triple jump double. He was ably backed up in the sprints by Simon Richards (200 B) and Devon Samson who won the B 100 and ran a swift non scoring 200.

Anthony Williams arrived from the British Universities Champs at Bedford to give a good account in the 110m hurdles before winning the B Triple Jump and having a good non scoring LJ. Vincent Lazaro won the B long jump and ran a good non scoring 100m.

Rob Warner turned his steeplechase into a time trial getting maximum points.  Phil Tierney had a solid run in the 400m while Anthony Soar (800m) ran well, as did Chris Smith in the winning the B 1500m.

Kieron Nelson had a good run over the 110 hurdles after a 400m Hurdles non score outing. His brother Jake got 2nd in the B High Jump then had a swift non scoring 200m

Jay Ryan had a comfortable win in the B 400m Hurdles and came 2nd in the high jump due to count back.

Not to be outdone the Vets showed the youngsters they still have it with Stuart Tufton winning the B Pole vault and Mark Bishop getting second in the A Pole Vault and the A 400m Hurdles. Matt Bland showed his paces with a stunning PB in the non scoring 800m.

The ever reliable Neil Collins doubled up in the 800 and 1500m to gain useful points, and Tony Collins competed in his first Discus event.

This is a match we should have won comfortably so please all athletes get yourselves to the next match at Newham 16th May - there are non scoring opportunities in all events.