by Alan Newman

There were eight new titles for Kent athletes in the England Under-15 and Under-17 Championships at Bedford at the weekend.

Tonbridge's AC's Matthew Blandford, right, continued his rapid rise in the discus with a personal-best 59.76. The throw, 6m further than his previous best, is the sixth-best in the world this year for under-18s, the third-best of all time at his age group and a championship record.

Blandford also threw a best for sixth in the shot (15.37).

The sprinters took full advantage of the sweltering conditions and generally helpful wind. Dina Asher-Smith (Blackheath and Bromley Harriers) won the under-17 women’s 100m (11.63sec) and 200m (24.15) gold with Renee Ross-Gordon (Cambridge Harriers) taking silver in the longer race (25.10).

Maya Bruney (Blackheath) took the under-15 100m (11.82) and was second in the 200m (24.65) in personal-best times. Blackheath team-mate Cheriece Hylton was second in the under-17 300m (39.70).

Sean Molloy (Tonbridge) showed his intent with a fast under-17 men’s 800m heat win (1min56.17sec) from George Duggan (Tonbridge, 1.56.71). Both improved in the final but Molloy grabbed gold (1.52.63) as Duggan was fifth (1.55.73).

In the under-17 women’s 800m final, Invicta's Bobby Clay, above, won with a personal best (2.07.29). Her sister, Alex, was an astonishing 26 seconds clear of the field in the 3,000m (9.47.0) for a superb family double.

The 3,000m walk featured a clean sweep by Cambridge Harriers athletes. Under-15s Heather Butcher (15.28.18), Sophie Lewis Ward (17.09.59) and Indigo Burgin (21.17.57) claimed all three medals.