LEIGH Harriers won their first match of the season with new star Tashon Gallagher leading the way with a hat-trick of sprint victories.

The struggling squad, put up a superb performance to win by seven points, but have issued a desperate appeal for field eventers and sprinters to help take them out of the Young Athletes division one relegation zone.

Fifteen-years-old man of the match Tash recorded national grade standards in all his events taking the 100m in 12sec, the 200m in 24.3 and the 400m in 52.7.

He then went on to bring the U17 relay four home on a winning anchor leg.

Alex Urmston ran Tash close for the MOM title winning four events -- the B 200m in 25.8, the 800m in 2min 12.9sec, the 1500m steeplechase in 5min 29sec and the triple jump with a leap of 10m46.

Twelve-years-old Hannah Warburton also scored three victories in the 800m (2min 35.7sec), the high jump and shot.

There were also wins for Rebecca Howarth and Kellie Thornton in the U15 800m A and B races and Lauren Howarth in the 1500m.

In the U17s section wins went to Adele Swanton and Yasmin Foulds in the 3000m A and B events and Amanda Fearnley and Emma Morris in the 1500m races. The latter two also had seconds in the 800m.

Danny Crook, who took the A javelin, teamed up with Andy Edwards to win the U17 high and long jump A and B groups, while Thomas Boardman scored victory in the B javelin and the 1500m.

Neil Pendlebury won the B 1500m and was second in the A 3000m, while Mike Goddard took the B race and the 800m and 1500m steeplechase.

In the U15s Tom Henders won the 3000m and the B800m, while Carl Tennant was first in the B 3000m and third in the 1500m.

Jason Cater finished runner-up in both the A 800m and discus while Larselle Gallagher won valuable points in the sprint events and long jump.

Both U13s boys and girls gave some outstanding performances, Isaac McCann running second in the 800m and 1500m. Scott Coop and Jack Rigby collected points in the sprints and Chris Foulds in the 1500m and shot.

Emily Prior recorded a national standard in the 800m, with Hannah Warburton and Sophia Thornton finishing third in the sprints. Abigail Howarth and Kirsty Hogan ran PBs in the 1200m.

The U15 girls' section saw Kate Leighton and Clare Thompson gather points in the sprints and long jumps and Andrea Kay take second in the shot and 1500m.

The next match is at Preston in three weeks, but before then the club is seeking more good sprinters and field eventers to help keep them in the top flight.

Training is on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 7pm and 8.30pm at the Charles Street track. Free coaching will be given for the first two weeks.