GOLD RUSH: Andy Bargh helping Team Solent to another gold.

ANDY BARGH successfully defended his Hampshire men's 400 metres hurdles title at Portsmouth on Saturday in 53.7 seconds.

It was part of an impressive medal rush by the south coast's number one club, Team Solent, who amassed 24 gold, 26 silver and 15 bronze medals at the two-day county track and field championships at the Mountbatten Centre.

Unlike many county events which are waning in popularity, Hampshire's are on the up. Championship secretary Colin Bashford reported that 1999 entries were up on last year at over 1,300 and involved more than 700 athletes.

Among the weekend's highlights were an impressive under-20 men's 800/1500 metres double from Team Solent's fast emerging middle distance prospect Angus Maclean - the latter in a championship best time of 3.50.4.

Southampton's European and Commonwealth 400m king Iwan Thomas made a brief appearance to watch girlfriend Emma Davies of Andover win the senior women's 400m in 56.5.

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