Devonish spurs on kids to bronze medal; ATHLETICS.

COVENTRY Godiva's new generation of sprinters took centre stage at the Norwich Grand Prix - with hero Marlon Devonish there to spur them on.

The Under-17 quartet of Jamie Blundell, Jamaine Donkor, Michael Thompson and Joel Fearon were invited to compete in an age-group 4 x 100 metres relay at the showcase Sheffield meeting following their performances in this summer's National Young Athletes League.

And, given the worst draw in the outside lane, they responded by running one and a half seconds faster than before to take a superb bronze medal in 43.74 behind Birchfield Harriers (43.16) and Ilford (43.44).

The four enjoyed rubbing shoulders with some of the greats of sprinting, sharing the warm-up area with former world champions Maurice Greene and Kim Collins.

And they were the envy of their opponents when they were visited in the call-up room by their clubmate and Olympic relay gold medallist Devonish, who wished them luck.

Devonish was in sparkling form himself in the individual events, equalling his personal best of 10.13 seconds in the 100 metres for fifth place behind Collins (10.01) before running 20.48 in the 200 metres where he finished fourth behind new world champion Justin Gatlin (20.04).

o THE concluding round of the Kenilworth Runners summer handicap road race series attracted 44 runners to Baginton with a final twist in the tale.

A third of the field waited for the 3.5-mile race- the shortest in the series - to play their 'joker', doubling their points total for the round, and a women's course record of 20-44 was enough to give Ruth Barnes a maximum 100 points with her joker and the overall title on 306.

Final group positions - A: 1 Denise Cheetham 263, 2 Mick Morris 258, 3 David Wheatley 242. B: 1 Stan Alexander 291, 2 Keith Blake 288, 3 John Woodrow 259. C: 1 Brennan Liveley 278, 2 Julian Tombs 276, 3 Ivan Holdsworth 268.

o ENTRY forms are available for Solihull & Small Heath AC's Ken Dare Open meeting at the Norman Green Sports Centre track on Sunday, September 11. The meeting is for under-11s to under-17s with track events up to 1500 metres and, in the field, the high jump, long jump, shot, discus and javelin. Closing date for entries is September 1, and forms and further information are available from Susan Clements on 0121 705 7117 or website www.solihullac.co.uk