SWINDON Harriers hosted the opening fixture of the Southern Athletics League at the County Ground track on Saturday.

In cold and windy conditions, the home team finished second behind Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow (WSE&H), with Worthing third and Team Kennet fourth.

Harriers enjoyed some strong performances, with Ciaran Cooper winning the men’s A string 400 metres in 51.6 seconds, while Aaron Bishop had wins in the B string long jump with 5.54m and pole vault, as well as third in the A string triple jump.

For the ladies, Abbie Chaundy (11.74m) and Lydia Rodgers (9.84m) dominated the triple jump, winning both the A and B strings.

Abby Miles won the A string long jump in 5.26m, with Rodgers second B-string with 4.55m.

There were second-place finishes in the A string for Nyle Clinton (1500m), Tom Hemming (2000m steeplechase), Nick Walker (discus), Tony Jackson (hammer), Matt Cave (javelin), Chloe Haywood (1500m), Esme Holding (pole vault) and Bethany Large (shot, discus and javelin).

In the B string, second places went to Scott Gunning (200m), James Newton (400m), Dan Thomas (5000m), Dan Large (400m hurdles), Rich Newman (2000m steeplechase), Josh Ricketts (discus), Walker (hammer), Rebecca Horne-Smith (shot, discus and hammer) while Elliot Doughty, in his first appearance in the senior team, set a new personal best for 800m with 2:10.0.

In the relays, both teams finished third in the 4x100 metres, while in the men’s 4x400m, WSE&H held a 40-metre advantage, but an impressive run by Cooper reduced the gap to 10 metres, securing second place.

Harriers' athlete of the match awards went to Bishop (men) while Nicky Phillips, in her first track meeting, took the ladies trophy.

The next league meeting for the Harriers is on Sunday, May 22, at Bournemouth, but before that, the Wiltshire County Championships take place at the County Ground on Saturday, May 14.