ANDOVER AC’s U17W relay team were crowned England Athletics National Relay champions at the National Championships held at Bedford International Stadium.

Holly Mills, Jasmine McClutchie, Darcie Henderson and Elizabeth Butler-Clack faced stiff opposition from top club sides in the country.

Going into the championships the girls were optimistic of their chances as based on their sole relay race earlier in the season they were ranked in the top ten clubs in the country.

Having worked hard in training with their changeovers the girls took their first race in a time of 48.45secs smashing their previous best time of 49.50secs.

They felt there was more to come in the final and with clubs that had run faster this season in opposition they went to the track in determined mood.

First leg runner Darcie Henderson got the team off to a great start as she led the field with a great run to handover the baton to Holly Mills.

A blistering back straight leg by Mills extended the lead as she handed over to Jasmine McClutchie who maintained the lead around the third bend to pass the baton to final leg runner Elizabeth Butler-Clack.

With the opposition trailing Butler-Clack brought the baton home with the clock stopping at a new PB time of 47.91secs, over a second ahead of Sutton and District in second and Cambridge Harriers in third.

With only two other club sides having posted faster times this season the Andover girls now rank third in the UK.