OWEN Merrett has revealed that he couldn’t bear to look as an exciting junior boys’ hammer competition reached its climax at the English Schools Athletics Championships at the weekend, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

In a fluctuating competition at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium, the Sheldon School student led after two rounds but then in the sixth and final round of throw first saw his medal turn to bronze as his rivals upped their game.

“There were three throwers left to go in the final round and I was in the silver medal position at that point,” said Merrett.

“Then a friend of mine from Gloucestershire over-took me to go into the silver medal position and I had to wait and see if I held onto bronze.

“The last thrower in the competition could have possibly over-taken me so I just could not bear to watch!

“I had to turn away and it was such a relief that I finished with the bronze medal.”

Merrett’s first national medal was a great way to celebrate his 14th birthday on Monday and represented a huge improvement on his 13th position on his debut in the championships last year.

“It was probably not my best competition but I am very happy to come away with a medal but it was nerve-wracking,” added Merrett.

Also in the junior boys’ hammer fellow Sheldon School student James Viner finished fifth with Harry Ricketts equal 14th.

There was also a bronze medal for St John’s Marlorough Academy student Thomas Holmes in the javelin.

A gold medal winner in the junior boys’ age group 12 months ago Holmes made a seamless transition to the inter boys’ age group to add a national bronze medal to his collection.

Trowbridge-based athlete Jenna Blundell refused to be too downhearted after missing out on a medal in the senior girls’ 100m hurdles by just two one-hundredths of a second.

“I went to Birmingham thinking I could get onto the podium so to finish fourth was a bit annoying at first,” said Blundell, who was representing Avon as she is at college in north Bristol.

“But in the grand scheme of things as I am on my comeback after injury I am still very pleased with my result.

"I am taking a lot of positives out of my performance and I also have another year in this age group.

“I am feeling very positive about what is to come in the future.”

Another Sheldon School athlete to catch the eye was Jake Burkey as he finished fifth in the senior boys’ long jump, his best ever result in the event beating his seventh place as an inter boy two years ago.

In his final appearance in the championships St Augustine’s College student Robert Howorth did well to place seventh in a highly competitive senior boys’ 800m but twin John just missed out on making the final of the 1500m.

Also on her farewell appearance, former John of Gaunt student Caitlin Wosika, from Trowbridge, was a creditable seventh in the senior 1500m steeplechase.

At the other end of the spectrum Salisbury’s Bea Wood celebrated only her second appearance in the event with a runaway victory in the junior girls’ 1500m, eclipsing her bronze medal 12 months ago. She was Wiltshire’s sole gold medal champion.

New Balance English Schools’ Championships, Alexander Stadium, Birmingham, (all Wiltshire athletes unless stated) – Senior boys 800: 7 Robert Howorth 1:55.15; LJ: 5 Jake Burkey 6.71; Hammer: 7 Josh Ricketts 50.67.

Inter boys – Shot: 13 Rory Howorth 12.90; Javelin: 3 Thomas Holmes 57.29.

Junior boys – 100: 6 Omario Henry 11.64; Shot: 14 Mikael Evloer 10.83; Hammer: 3 Owen Merrett 46.60; 5 James Viner 44.63; 14= Harry Ricketts.

Senior girls – 1500 steeplechase: 7 Caitlin Wosika (Avon) 5:10.54; Javelin: 12 Ottilie Knight 35.92.

Inter girls – LJ: 11 Gabrielle Kirkham 5.25; Hammer: 8 Anna Merritt 50.42.

Junior girls – 1500: 1 Bea Wood 4:28.11; 75H: 8 Willa Gibb 11.44; Shot: 8 Georgia Clarke 10.72; Javelin: 5 Megan Galpin 40.61.