WILTSHIRE athletes featured prominently in the Team Bath AC annual awards presentation staged at the University of Bath, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

Club chairman Dave Coales said that the county’s athletes, coaches and team officials had played an increasing role in the success of the club, both at a national level and local events like the Avon Track & Field League.

“Team Bath have been competing since this league began 30 years ago,” said Coales.

“We have always regarded it as the perfect place to introduce athletes to competition, to let them grow and develop and hopefully to shine.

“The league has struggled with its own success, especially in the last few years thanks to the Olympic legacy of the growth of interest in athletics, and often has between 600-700 athletes competing at a meeting.

“I am delighted that, for the first time ever, in 2014 we have not only won this league overall, racking up 32 league points and an amazing 5097.5 match points – over 2,500 more than the second placed club – we have also won 7 out of the 8 age group trophies!”

One of those victories came in the U15 boys’ age group with twins John and Robert Howorth, from Hilperton, joined by George Adams, from Midford, and Jake Burkey, of Chippenham.

The U15 boys team also won the Cooper Cup at the Midland Cross Country Championships at Leamington in January.

Also instrumental in the Avon League success and were Kenneth Muhumuza, from North Bradley, St Augustine’s Catholic College student Adam Gordon, Lavington School student Owen Harnett, Jordan Early, Aaron Shepherd, from Bratton, and top points scorer for the age group Will Stockley, from Semington.

Katie Phillips, from Trowbridge, and Sarah Strange, from Chippenham, helped Team Bath to the Ladies Avon League team trophy.

Coales also paid tribute to Avon League team managers Alison Phillips and Caroline Howorth, both from Hilperton, who led the team to the title and have decided to step down.