SOUTHAMPTON'S Nick Ball had five reasons to cheer another extraordinary performance in the Leamington Spa Junior Race Walk Cup.

Not only did the 16-year-old celebrate individual victory in a personal best time, but he also shared in team glory for Great Britain, won the national Race Walking Association title and comfortably achieved the selection time for July's IAAF World Youth Championships in Marrakesh.

Having posted 44 minutes and 19 seconds in an unofficial 10-kilometre race, Ball was confident of getting inside the 44.30 national selection requirement for Morocco.

His main competition at Leamington came from the USA's reigning junior champion Zac Pollinger and youngsters from Hungary, Denmark and France.

After a slow start, Ball overtook early pacemaker Sandor Racz of Hungary and rapidly stretched his lead. Pollinger did his best to hunt him down, but the Southampton lad stretched away again in the last kilometre to win in 44.05.

Ball, who comes from a family of race walkers, thanked his father Jim for training with him and devising his schedule. Next up for the talented teenage is an under-20 meet in Hungary next month.

RESULTS:

Under-20 men's 10k: 1 Nick Ball (Steyning AC, GB) 44.05, 2 Zac Pollinger (USA) 45.29, 3 Sandor Racz (Hungary) 46.43.

Junior Cup: 1 Great Britain 390, 2 Ireland 380, 3 Denmark 184, 4 France 178.