BOLTON Harriers' under-20 and u17 athletes performed well at Connahs Quay in Deeside, North Wales, to finish a close sixth with 258 match points – just two behind Stockport – and avoid relegation.

It means the junior Blue Vests retain their Youth Development League Upper West One status by a single league point (11) from Stockport, who are joined by St Helens Sutton in relegation to West Two.

It is just deserts for the small BUH&AC squad that have competed together in challenging conditions this season.

Team managers Phil Chadbond and Bill Miller were satisfied with the final standings and offered congratulations to the whole team for the many fine performances over the last three month.

Rufus Ainow and Daniel Morrison threw everything in the field for the boys, while Jordan Kirkwood (sprints) and Declan Toomey (distance) took on the track.

The girls’ team had a couple more representatives – usual sprinter/jumpers Hannah Stephenson, Georgia Lever and Anna Chadbond were joined by normal distance athletes Mercedes Mercer, Rachel Bailey and Olivia Kearney.

Besides their favoured disciplines, all competed in additional field events outside their comfort zone to get precious points in the battle to avoid the drop.

Previously, the u15 and u13 athletes competed admirably in the final fixture of the YDL Lower season at Warrington’s Victoria Park.

Their 513 points placed them fourth on the match-day standings, securing the junior Blue Vests action in Division Two next season with a solid mid-table finish after last year’s promotion.

Team Managers Paul Rossington and Mark Plant were very pleased with the continued progress of the juniors at this higher level.

Despite losing some local rivalry due to Leigh’s promotion and Horwich’s relegation, the movement of Blackburn and Bury from Division One and Division Three respectively will, no doubt, ensure the competitive spirit will be present.

Elsewhere, Tommy Harrison took the honours in the third edition of the Horwich Jubilee 5M series.

His 27mins 21secs time was eight seconds ahead of the hosts’ Lukas Siska.

John Knowles and Simon Dally won the M40 and M45 vet battles respectively, while the Blue Vests convincingly won the team prize, courtesy of four in the top 10 of the 77-strong field bookended by Dom Gavin.

Isabella Merritt (6:00) was first girl in the junior race, with Lily Philbin (6:18) fourth despite both being two years younger than the u14 upper age.