Croydon Harriers’ junior team guaranteed their place in the Southern Premier Division Two in the UK Youth Development League for next season, thanks to a runner-up finish at Croydon Arena.

The hosts notched eight event maximums throughout the day with nine separate A event victories.

English Schools hopeful Damien Powell equalled his lifetime best in the 100m in 10.77 seconds and Edwin Miles took the B honours in 11.28secs.

Another English School’s 100m hopeful Ashleigh Clarke also triumphed in 12.45secs. Her county teammates Robert Sakala (U17 men’s 100m hurdles, 13.31secs), Omar Reid (U20 men’s discus, 46.11m) and Bradley Simms (U17 men’s discus, 39.08m) also warmed ahead of the season’s showpiece event with wins.

The middle-distance events proved fruitful for Croydon with Kieron Connor (two minutes 05.17secs) and Charlie Bracknborough (2.11.35) getting maximum points in the under 17 men’s 800m, with Robert Spalding (4:39.74) and Dane Lawrence 1500m (5.01.35) enjoying similar success in the 1500m.

There were another three event maximums with two coming on the field, Saskia Navratnum (34.56m) and Tamara Reid (31.75m) topping the standings in the U17 women’s discus with Reid teaming up with Anieshka Mido (30.17m) in the hammer for more success.

Surrey finalists Taylor Campbell (12.23secs) and Sonyce Archer (12.44secs) made it two first’s in the U17 women’s 80m hurdles.

Further triumphs came courtesy of Peter Chambers (U20 men’s 2000m steeplechase, 6.34.42), Marcelle Rowe (U17 men’s 400m, 52.61secs), Stevie Lawrence (2.23.56, U20 women’s 800m), Sonyce Archer (50.04secs, U17 women’s 300m hurdles), Emma Fossett (38.56m, U17 women’s javelin), Tamara Reid (9.02m, U20 women’s shot putt) and the U17 women’s 4x100m team.

Final Result: Enfield & Haringey (595), Croydon (549), Harrow (532), Stevenage & North Herts (521), Basildon Beagles (465), Chelmsford (402).

League (standings with one fixture to go): Enfield & Haringey (1,974), Stevenage & North Herts (1,763), Croydon (1,583), Harrow (1,349), Basildon Beagles (1,444), Chelmsford (1,120).

In ParkRun action, Brendan Murphy (Riddlesdown) and David Chambers (Brandon Country Park) were both first across the line.