ATHLETICS

ORION Harriers athlete Natalie Kipps came fifth in the final of the 800m at the British University Sports Association (BUSA) outdoor championships at Bedford's International Track.

Kipps, representing Hertfordshire University, came through two qualifying rounds to make the final, but she had to settle for a respectable fifth position with a time of two minutes 12.24secs.

The local athlete (pictured) was in contention going into the final straight but lost out in the sprint finish.

She was also disappointed not to have beaten her personal best of 2.11.68, which she set the previous week on her way to winning the 800m in the Southern England Student Sports Association (SESSA) event.

Kipps ran a superbly-judged tactical race at Lea Valley, doing enough to edge out the rest of the field.

Next on the agenda for the talented youngster is the Essex Championships next week which will take place in Basildon.