WOODFORD Green athlete Daniel Awde moved to tenth on the all-time UK list with a personal best mark of 7869 points in winning the decathlon at the England Championships in Bedford, writes Ross Davies.

The Beijing Olympian’s progress has stuttered recently, following a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury that required surgery.

The highlights of Awde’s impressive performance was an excellent time of 46.71secs for the 400m at the end of the first day, and 14.36s in the 110m hurdles.

Meanwhile, Olympic 100m finalist Jeanette Kwakye triumphed in the event at the Spakassen Gala in Regensburg, Germany, recoring 11.45s into a stiff headwind.

Elsewhere, the British Athletics Premiership got underway in Cardiff, and the men’s team got off to a flier with a second place finish.

The meeting began with Andy Frost lifting the hammer title with a throw of 68.89m. Mark Dry was fourth in the same event, and second B string. Tom Norman was third in the discus and Emeka Udecheku won the B event.

On the track, Dan Davis came second in the 110mH A string and Jordan Kirby-Polidore was runner-up in the 200m. Graham Hedman topped the field in the 400m, while Andy Mariani was second in the 800m B string.

Tomaz Pilbersek won the 3000m steeplechase, despite falling flat on his face after attempting to clear the second barrier.

The team were on a roll in the jumping events, with Polish international Robert Wolski placing second in the high jump, while former GB competitor Ben Challenger won the B event. Sayo Ojo won the B triple jump.

The meeting concluded with the relays and both teams placed third. The 4x100m squad of Dan Davis, Jordan Polidore-Kirby, Omololu Abiodun and Eugene Ayanful recorded 41.76secs and the 4x400m squad of Musa Audu, Omololu Abiodun, Nathan Wake and Graham Hedman recorded 3m19.0 secs.

Meanwhile, the ladies also impressed during their opening meet, coming third at Trafford for their best result for several seasons.

There were individual victories for Vicky Barr, Emily Moss and Tara Bird in the 400m and 1500m A and B events respectively.

Tracey Duncan came second in the 400m hurdles, while Stephanie Gaynor matched that achievement in the 100m hurdles, with Moe Sasegbon also second in the B event. She was also third in the high jump. In the 800m Jess Sparke came third, while Hannah Frankson was second in the B triple jump.

Maria Seagar was third in the pole vault, with Kirsty McIntosh second in the B string. Jo Duncan came third in the shot putt.