Three local multi-events athletes, each representing West Yorkshire, were in outstanding form at this weekend's North East Schools Combined Events Championships.

These were held at the South Leeds Stadium with the counties of West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Humberside, Cleveland, Durham and Northumberland each putting out teams of four in the various age groups.

In the U-17 women's heptathlon, Horsforth's Bethany Staniland, of Leeds City AC, had a tremendous battle with fellow West Yorkshire and Leeds City team-mates, Kirsty Parr and Alice Simpson for the medal positions.

Despite the wet and windy weather, Bethany had her best ever day one score of 2,536 points, following 13.1s for the 80m hurdles, 1.48m for the high jump, 10.30m for the shot and 26.6s for the 200m.

However, a brighter day two began with Bethany producing two no jumps in the long jump; only a 4.84m safety jump on her third and final trial kept her in the competition. Nevertheless, she was not deterred and went on to launch the javelin to a personal best 35.07m. This moved her into overall third place and in the final event, 2 mins.28.3s for the 800m saw her take the lead and the gold medal.

West Yorkshire were convincing winners of the U-17 women's team competition.

In the U-15 boys' age group, Ilkley's James Heaton took third place in the pentathlon with a personal best score of 2,309 points. The Leeds City athlete's day began with a steady 14.1s for the 80m hurdles and a putt of 9.48m in the shot. He then long jumped 5.58m, and at this over halfway stage in the competition he found himself in sixth place overall.

However, a tremendous high jump of 1.66m pushed him into the bronze medal place to which he clung with a determined 2 mins 26.0s for the 800m. West Yorkshire again took the county team title.

The U-17 men's octathlon saw a tremendous battle between five very talented multi-eventers. Menston's Fraser Davies, of Leeds City AC, battled hard over both days. Following his long jump (5.80m), discus (30.58m) and javelin (44.81m), he found himself in second position - quite remarkable as his discus score was some nine metres down on his best. He then produced a 57.8s for the 400m to finish day one in third place.

On day two, Fraser could not quite achieve the same success: 100m hurdles (15.4s); high jump (1.70m); shot (10.77m); 1500m (5 mins13.4s). As a result, he finished in fifth position overall with 4,204 points.West Yorkshire came second behind Durham in this age group.

Bethany Staniland and James Heaton will now form part of the 13 strong West Yorkshire Combined Events squad that will compete in the English Schools AA Combined Events Championships in Exeter.

Fraser Davies is one of the nominated reserves but with an octathlon score of 4,204 points he is likely to be invited to these national championships on a wild card entry.

Joining them in Exeter will be junior international decathlete, Andrew Staniland of Leeds City AC, who was given a bye through these regional championships. He will contest the U-20 men's decathlon.

Skyrac AC

Given the choice of competing in rain or sunshine most athletes prefer the warmth of the sun and fortunately the weather on Sunday for the Northern Two Central League was the best of the weekend.

Unfortunately a poor turn out from Skyrac AC of only nine athletes saw the club finish in a low position.

Individual boy and girl results were: U-13 boys - Henry Biggs 100m (2nd), long jump (3rd), 200m (1st).

U-17 girls - Lucy Foxhall 300m hurdles (1st), discus (4th).

U-15 girls - Phillipa Kelley high jump (2nd), 75m hurdles (2nd), long jump (2nd); Emma Smith 100m (4th), 200m (3rd), long jump (5th).

U-13 girls - Rebecca Harrison shot (5th), 800m (2nd), 150m (3rd); Bethany Harrison shot (5th), long jump (5th); Eleanor Hanson 800m (2nd), 70m ( 4th), long jump (4th).

U-15 boys - Jack Murray 100m (3rd) high jump (2nd), long jump (3rd); Jason Blac javelin ((5th) and 1500m (5th).

Overall winners were Pendle (464 pts) and Skyrac were fifth (134pts).

Skyrac can be contacted via www.skyrac.org.uk or 01943 874046.

Ilkley Harriers

On Sunday, Sue Bickerdike ran 47m54s for the Rainton 10K on Sunday, getting under the elusive 48min mark for a PB.

There were excellent conditions for the very enjoyable and well organised Settle Hills Fell Race, seven miles with 1750ft of climb. Geoff Howard was 18th in 58m 10s (2nd v.50 and first V60). Ashley Hardwell was 52nd on 64m29s.

The Junior races were a counter in

the English Junior Fell Championships. In the Under-12s race (one mile with 340ft of climb), Harry Liuba-Carmichael finished 9th in 13:04; Fiona Jordan 18th and 4th girl in 14:38; Emily Kerr 21st and 7th girl in 15:14; and Poppy Liuba-Carmichael also ran well.

In the Reservoir Bogs Fell Race, over eight miles with 1200ft of climb Ian Marshall was 19th out of a field of 61 in 73:36.

On Saturday, new member Peter Bedwell did the Weldrake 10k near York in 46.04 placing 71st and a PB by almost a minute.

Diane Haggar was fifth lady and 1st LV40 in 27:24 in the three mile fell race at the Eldwick Gala. Sam Haggar was fourth, and second U-10, in the one mile junior race, with a time of 10:21

In the fourth Harrogate League road race, at Thirsk Harriers turned out to defend the club's team placings. Ilkley remain third in the team competition, the ladies hold a strong lead, the lady vets tore into the lead, and the male Vets were a notable second again - keeping 2nd Vet team overall. The Elite team was were third retaining third overall.