TEAM Southampton AC produced two encouraging team performances at the National Young Athletes' Road Relays in Sutton Coldfield.

Stars of the show were the under-15 girls' team, who managed 11th place out of the 69 teams and, for much of the race, had actually led the field!

Rebecca Gough got the ball rolling, finishing the first leg strongly in second place, four seconds clear of Aldershot in third.

She handed over to Louise Webb, who took the lead and extended the gap between her and the next-placed runner to over 39 seconds by the end of the 3.9 km course.

The third leg was a tall order for road relay debutante Kay Shafford, in her first year of competition for the club, but, despite running against the national cross-country champion and fastest-timed athlete of the day, she brought the team home in 11th place.

TSAC's Des Webb said: "This was a really great achievement as this was the first time the three girls had run together as a team.

"Webb and Gough ran the fifth and sixth fastest times of the day which, in this national event with over 220 other runners, shows they are real prospects."

After a number of Southampton's other runners dropped out prior to the event, it was left to the under-15 boys to fly the flag.

Scott Gallant led them off, handing over to Jamie Knapp who moved them into 40th place. Scott Legg took over on the final lap and picked up another seven places to 33rd.

Team Southampton can now look forward to the start of the track and field season, the first fixture being a Wessex League match at Poole on April 17.

Several runners, including Webb and Gough, will be absent as they will be representing Hampshire at the Mini London Marathon.

Athletes over ten years old interested in joining the club should call Des Webb on 023 8078 8874 or Carol Dawkins on 023 8086 0743.