Herne Hill Harriers' senior track & field teams will be aiming to continue the club's success at no fewer than three separate venues next weekend.

Already this season, the young athletes' team has secured promotion back to the Southern Premier Division of the UK Young Athletes League, clinching the Southern 1 East divisional title at Battersea Park last weekend.

Also, the men's team have qualified for the final of the Rosenheim League and the veteran men have qualified for Southern Counties League final and now the club has to contend with 3 crucial fixtures in the same weekend.

The British Athletics League team will be looking to consolidate their bid for promotion to BAL National One after a superb victory in their last match at Bromley earlier this month.

A trip to Leeds on Saturday now awaits and team manager Geoff Jerwood, knowing that a strong team is a pre-requisite if the team is to continue its promotion challenge and recognising the importance of the match following the Bromley victory, is in the process of assembling another competitive team to do the club proud.

On the same day, the Southern Men's League team travel to Parliament Hill in north London knowing that a victory in their final league fixture will see the club's second team promoted to Division 2 for the first time.

Team manager James Ward commented: "The team's performances in the last 3 matches have been tremendous and we now need to stay focused to achieve promotion. This match will be just as competitive as our earlier matches, but we have a close-knit squad and I know the entire team is looking forward to the match and we are determined to seal promotion.

"Hopefully, we will have some travelling support, which can so often make a huge difference."

Meanwhile, the women's track & field team face a daunting trip north to Gateshead for their final match in the UK Women's League. A strong performance would ensure the club retains its place in the national league.

"We struggled in our first match, but delivered a much improved performance in the second," said team manager Steve Bosley, who is organising and overseeing the trip to the north-east and quietly confident.

"We have plenty of quality in the Gateshead squad, so I am hoping we will again be competitive. This is our first season in this league, but with a number of talented youngsters becoming eligible to compete in our senior team next year, I am confident the women's team can continue to go from strength to strength."

Ben Paviour warmed up for next week’s British League match with a useful outing on the road in the Elmbridge 10K on 26 July, placing 3rd in 33:02.

Simon Phillips produced his best performance yet over this distance, scoring a huge PB of 36:10 after maintaining his strength in the latter stages of the race when others faltered. James Ward was a model of consistency in recording 36:45 – just a second quicker than in last month’s Dysart Dash 10K – while Paul Shiel improved his time from the previous week to close the team in 40:41. Ed Barrow finished in 40:58 ahead of Helen Sharp in 42:38, after which Xander Beck finished in 44:54, within his target time of 45 minutes in one of his first races for the club. Rebecca Barrow – who clocked 45:21 – was just 2 seconds quicker than Debbie Jackson who recorded 45:23 while Louisa Harrold finished in 46:03.

Women take a breather ahead of trip north With a vital UK Women’s League match in Gateshead approaching this weekend, many of the club’s top female performers opted to miss the Southern Women’s League match, but 8 hardy souls nonetheless ensured a presence in their match at Kingsmeadow.

Katherine Le Ruez had a busy afternoon, covering both hurdling and middle-distance events while Briony Phillips and Barbara Macanas covered the throwing events with ease. Monica Lobefaro also returned to action with a determined display in the 3000m in which she won the B string race.

Despite the efforts the team could finish only 4th, but with so many missing, this was nonetheless a spirited display ahead of next week’s big match.

Match result: Team Southampton – 98; Harrow AC – 67; Bedford & County AC – 59; Herne Hill Harriers – 54.