THURROCK Harrier Jon Metcalf, representing the Eastern Counties Veterans in the recent inter-area match, finished an excellent second in the V50 1500m.

Athletes from all corners of the UK battled away for what was virtually a national title.

Michael Shortall took two silvers in the weekend’s Eastern Counties championships at Colchester. In a competitive 400m hurdles his time was 58.4s.

In the 110H – a less competitive race – his time was 16.49s.

The story of the afternoon was Nigel Instances’ win in the senior javelin.

His 33.09m was a personal best and a gold medal was a real bonus as the main purpose of his journey was to support his bronze-medal winning daughter Hayley.

This week Michael and Nigel will be helping the club improve its position in the Southern Athletics League in the fifth and final round at the Harriers own Blackshots track.

The first event is at noon.