In hammer throwing circles City of Norwich AC athletes Michael Painter and Callum Brown are certainly making their mark.

Both competed in the Bedford International Games over the weekend in which Painter moved the 6kg hammer out to a new personal best recorded at a massive 73.34m.

His effort was good enough to place him firmly on top of the 2012 Under 20 UK ranking list. In the same competition Callum Brown also broke the 70m barrier with a throw of 70.57m guaranteeing the club a top two finish.

Over next weekend Painter and Brown will be returning to Bedford to compete in the England Athletics Under 20 National Track & Field Championships where the prize could be a place in the Great Britain team that will compete in the World Junior Championships being staged in Barcelona in mid July.

However they face formidable opposition from USA based Nick Miller (Border Harriers) who has a personal best throw of 72.80m and is currently ranked second in the UK.

It will be a fascinating competition to watch with the top two finishers almost guaranteed a place in the British team

The Bedford international Games and the British Milers Club Grand Prix staged at Watford unfortunately clashed with the club's Southern Athletics League fixture at Chelmsford which meant that the senior team was a little thin on the ground, the end result being a disappointing last place finish despite the sterling efforts of those who competed.

However, mention must be made of James McLachlan who having just returned from his studies in the USA, competed in five events, winning the long jump with an effort of 7.00m and the triple jump when moving out to 13.13m.

At the British Milers Club Grand Prix held at Watford on Saturday evening a delighted Nick Earl knocked over 30 seconds off his previous best 5000m time when recording 14:42.15. Tom Hook looked to be in better shape when completing his 1500m effort in 3:54.45 just a few strides away from posting a new personal best.

Iona Lake, a novice at the event, tested herself at the 3000m Steeplechase. She was content to record a time of 10:38.50 but knows that she is capable of a lot quicker and will look to improve in the England Athletics Championships this coming weekend.