BEN AMBLER was one of the stars of an impressive performance by Bingley Harriers in the North of England Inter Club Knock Out Plate Final.

The club put in an impresive performance but were pipped in the last relays to finish second.

Ben defied the windy conditions to jump 1.75m in the high jump and reached 3.40m in the Pole Vault, finishing second in both events. He also threw a personal best to win the javelin with a throw of 51.24m.

Ian Lindley threw a season's best of 12.96m in the Shot to finish second and later added a fourth place in the Hammer and third in the Discus. In the Sand Pit Nicholas Aghahowa was second in the Long Jump and won the Triple Jump.

On the track Harriet Pickles started the day well with a win in the 400m Hurdles and was also second in the High Jump. Janine Crosby was consistent being second with a season's best in the Shot Putt 9.32m, second in the Discus 34.63m and second in the Hammer 32.05m. Sue Cariss battled in the wind to take second place in the 3000m and then finished fourth in the 1500m for good measure.

Rebecca Smith, just back from a year's studies in Madrid and first time on the track for a few seasons, won the 800m. Joanne Oates battled to win the Long Jump with 5.16m and there was also a win for Emily Noble in the 100m Hurdles and she was second in the 200m.

David Gbatta won the 400m in 50.11, and was third in the 200m by a whisker. Oliver Robinson ran a personal best in the 400m Hurdles in 60.25 and young Conor Terry ran a personal best in the 800m in 02.09.07 and ran a brave 1500m later in the afternoon. Rebecca Long was second in the Javelin with 30.32m and was fifth in the 400m. Matthew Watson won the 5000m and Gerry Bell, a veteran, was fifth in the 10000m gaining more valuable points.

In the Plate points Bingley were leading the scores by just 4.5 points with the four relays to come and Barnsley on their home track were breathing down their necks.

The ladies finished third in the 4x100m despite a brave attempt, but were beaten by Barnsley and Stockport. The men did go one better by being second to Barnsley in the 4x100m. In the 4x400m relays the ladies were fourth and the men were third.

At the end of the competition it was Barnsley 160 points, Bingley 156.5, Grantham 122.5, Oldham & Royton 112, Spenborough 110 and Stockport 98 points.