STRATFORD District young athletes stormed back into contention for the league title by winning the last two matches in the Warwickshire Indoor Sports Hall Athletics League.

With one more match remaining they are now joint top of the league with Coventry.

"I am really proud of the way the whole team pulled together in the last two matches to fight their way back into contention for the league title. We now have to keep the momentum going for what is going to be a very exciting final match on February 9," said coach Mike Turner.

In the individual age groups,the Under-15 girls are now just one point behind Coventry thanks to some strong performances in the field events by Michelle Bartlett and Lyndsey Gittus.

The boys, helped by determined running from Chris Vernon and Elliot Wright, are also just trailing Coventry going into the final match.

With Morgan Hughes-Jones making his league debut on the track and Matthew Jones winning the athlete of the match award for his performance in the speed bounce, the Under-13 boys put in two much improved performances.

Meanwhile, the girls pulled further ahead in their age group with strong running from Emma Seccombe and Kate O'Leary. There were also good wins in the speed bounce and vertical jump for Faye Bartlett and Holly Suffield.

The Under-11 girls and boys both performed well with some exciting wins on the track from the sprint duo of Luke Chamberlain and Mark Turner and a great run by Alice Burman.

In the field events, 'Jumping Jack' Harrison came away with wins in the vertical, long and triple jumps. Charlie Burn also threw well in the javelin and Sophie Tamlin was named girls' athlete of the match after an outstanding performance in the ball throw.

Nine of the under-11 squad have been selected to represent Warwick-shire in the Regional Indoor Competition to be held at Cocksmoor Wood Leisure Centre in South Birmingham on February 11.

Rhiannon Jones, Sophie Tamlin, Laura Edwards and Alice Burman earned selection for the girls alongside Chris Bartlett, Mark Turner, Jack Harrison , Luke Chamberlain and Daniel Wright.

"This is the highest number of athletes in that age group that we have ever had selected at county level and shows the talent we have coming in at the younger end of the club which bodes well for the future" said club chairman Paul Bearman.

Stratford teams - Under 11 (Girls): Sophie Tamlin, Rhiannon Jones, Alice Burman, Amanda Evans, Laura Edwards, Elinor Ward, Catherine Washbrook. Boys: Mark Turner, Daniel Wright, Chris Bartlett, Luke Chamberlain, Charlie Burn, Jack Harrison, Tom Suffield, Lindsey Butcher.

Under 13 (Girls): Natasha Kluzniak, Emma Seccombe, Gina Clifford, Olivia Ward, Kate O'Leary, Holly Suffield, Louise Aldridge, Faye Bartlett. Boys: Dan Blincoe, Joe Blincoe, Chris Wright, Matthew Jones, Morgan Hughes-Jones, Matt Barratt.

Under 15 (Girls): Laura Turner; Kate Seccombe; Lindsay Gittus; Hannah Bladon :Michelle Bartlett. Boys: Elliot Wright, Chris Vernon, Adam Morris, Jonathan Baty, Adam Beese, Clive Bates.