THE girls from Pendle AC won promotion in the McDonald's Young Athletes League on Sunday, but not before being given an almighty fright by local rivals Hyndburn AC.

Before the final fixture at Blackley, Pendle led the series by 33 points, but Hyndburn won a close encounter with Horwich second ahead of Pendle. Hyndburn's 12-point margin on the day was not enough to overhaul Pendle, who took the championship. Hyndburn were runners up, but will remain in Northern Division Two next season.

Pendle's under 13 Nikala Smith was voted track athlete of the meeting after a winning double in the 75m A (10.8 secs) and 150m A (20.8 secs). She was also a member of the relay team with Samantha Birtwell, Emma Dunlop and Kate Halley. Newcomers Nicola Whitehead and Katie Helps made their debuts. Hyndburn's under 13 Anna Griffiths was the field athlete of the match for her performance in winning the long jump. She was also third in the 75m hurdles and ran in the relay with Claire Mitchell, Samantha Bullen and Charlotte Baron.

Results - Hyndburn Under-13s: Charlotte Baron (75m A 2, shot B 2); Claire Mitchell (75m B 3, 150m B 3); Laura Honeybell (800m A 3); Samantha Bullen (800m B 1); Justine Anderton (1200m A 3, long jump B 2); Nicola Barnes (1200m B 1); Anna Griffiths (long jump A 1, 75m hurdles 3); Lauren Grime (shot A 2), relay 3 (Anna Griffiths, Claire Mitchell, Samantha Bullen, Charlotte Baron). Under-15s: Kerry Barnes (high jump A 2); Laura Munns (100m B 2); Amanda Lowe (shot A 1); Nicola Lonsdale (100m A 2).

Under-17s: Claire Lonsdale (300m B 1); Casey Dean (long jump A 2, 100m A 3); Ursula Walmsley (javelin A 1); Hayley Bullen (800m A 1, 300m A 2), relay 2 (Claire Lonsdale, Casey Dean, Ursula Walmsley, Hayley Bullen.

Pendle Under-13s: Nikala Smith (75m A 1, 150m A 1); Kate Halley (PBs in 75m and long jump); Sarah Isherwood (800m PB); Nicola Whitehead (150m B 2).

Under-15s: Lesley Oliver (high jump A 1 PB, 200m A 1 PB, 75m hurdles A 2 PB); Laura Dunlop (high jump B 1 PB, javelin A 1, 75m hurdles B 3); Hayley Greenwood (200m B 3 PB); Gemma Goodwin (javelin B 1 PB, shot PB), relay 2nds (Lesley Oliver, Laura Dunlop, Hayley Greenwood, Gemma Goodwin).

Under-17s: Victoria Rusius (300m hurdles A PB, 1500m A 1, high jump B 2); Vicky Haydock (300m hurdles B 1 PB, shot A 1 PB, discus A 1); Charlene Halliday (200m A 1 PB, 300m A 1 PB, shot B 1); Lisa Cockerill (long jump A 1, 80m hurdles A 1 PB, high jump A 2); Katie Trickett (1500m B 1, discus B 3); Joanne Eyre (javelin A 3, long jump B 3 PB), relay 1 (Victoria Rusius, Vicky Haydock, Charlene Halliday, Lisa Cockerill).

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