JASON Lobo produced his best time of the season in the BUPA Grand Prix at Sheffield - but it was not good enough to earn him a place in the squad for the European Championships.

In a race ran at a scorching pace, the former Blackburn Harrier ran his faster ever opening lap to get to the bell in 51 seconds.

But he could not maintain it in the second half of his 800 metres race and eventually clocked 1min 47.48secs to finish eighth behind Andy Hart of Coventry, the only Briton yet to run the European entry time. "I went off a little bit too fast in the opening lap and probably paid for it in the final stages," said Lobo.

"The field was also a little bit too big. I was having to run in the third lane so I didn't get boxed in which obviously adds extra distance.

"But it's a learning experience. I was racing with some quality athletes and you've just got to try and find your level. I produced my fastest time of the year so I am confident I can achieve the qualifying time before the deadline on August 8th." Kerry Smithson ran a blinder to win the 1500m by a distance in the GB v France v Italy under 23 international at Dresden. She did some of the leading even in the early stages of the race which was run in torrid heat. With 150m to go she made the decisive break and ran away from the field for an emphatic win in a time of 4mins 23secs.

This was three seconds slower than her personal best, but match races are tactical with times of secondary importance. What matters is to win for the team and this she did quite splendidly.

Lee McCash had his first taste of the heady Grand Prix atmosphere when he ran in a special under 17 1500m on the BUPA meeting card at Sheffield. He wisely tucked in and allowed himself to be towed along until the finish was in sight. Then he dashed for home, sprinting the last 100m to finish third in a time of 3mins 58secs which is a new personal best and nobody could ask more than that.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.