TONBRIDGE and Malling's youngsters were the cream of the crop taking top honours in the Kent Youth Games athletics meeting at Ashford's Julie Rose Stadium on Sunday.

They dominated the games to win the Year 5/6 pentathlon competition by a massive 22 clear points after overall victories in the standing long jump, triple jump, hammer throw, 70m spring and they wrapped up the crown winning the relays.

But they also finished second in the vertical jump to Sevenoaks, 150m to Canterbury and 600m runs also to Canterbury who went on to take the runners-up placing.

Third were Swale B whose best result came in the ball push where they finished runners-up to Maidstone B.

Scoring was Tonbrigge and Malling 133, Canterbury 116, Swale B 110, Sevenoaks 108, Ashford A 107, Medway 93,Maidstone B 89, Shepway A 85, Shepway B 80, Thanet 79, Medway 76, Dartford 64, Ashford B 48, Maidstone A 48, Swale A 21.

In the Under-13 age groups Canterbury twins Rachel and David Hanagan were the stars of the show.

Rachel won the gold medal in the girls with a huge 795 total 73 clear of her Canterbury teammate Sarah Barnes on 722. Third was Ashford's Sophia Cullingham.

Rachel's brother David went close to making it a family double finishing just 10 points behind winner Alex Irvine of Tonbridge and Malling who took top honours with 745. Third was Ashford Joashua Ford with 676 holding off a tight knot of challengers.

More than 300 youngsters took part in a highly successful day and there was plenty of vocal support for the team in a spirited competition.

The trophies were presented by rising Kent international athletes Nick Leavey and Matt Hulyer.

The highlight of the day was a national pole vault competition that involved some of the top young and old pole Vaulters in the UK.

The competition was won by Great Britain International Joe Ive (Blackheath & Bromley AC) with a vault of 4m71cm. His coach Allan Williams (Blackheath & Bromley AC) cleared 4m40cm for a UK age best for over 50 men.