Croydon Harriers senior men produced a battling display in their opening fixture of the Southern Men’s League at Hemel Hempstead on Saturday, writes Matthew Kiernan.

Once again it was Croydon’s sprinters who led the way, with Oweka Wanogho completing the 100m and 200m double, with successful support from Andre Gibbs who also completed the double in the B-String.

The due then combined forces with Darren Wollen and a debuting Afam Obi-Adewole, to storm to victory in the 4x100m.

Wollen also enjoyed a good individual outing in the 400m, finishing runner-up in 51.4s.

More solid performances were found elsewhere on the track, thanks to Martin Rowe (800m, 4:35.2), Scott Fanner (800m, 2:06), Colin Oxlade (3000m steeplechase, 12:48) and Eric Campbell (1500m, 5:53).

The Harriers further displayed strength and depth with three debutants in the form of Ali Kaplankiran (discus, 12.78m), Kennoy Lindsay (long jump, 4.82m) and Simon Alexander (400m, 62:08) all acquitting themselves well.

Chris King produced the pick of the field performances with a 27.95m effort in the hammer to place third.

The quartet of Fanner, Lindsay, Obi-Adewole and Rowe rounded off the day with a hard fought third in the 4x400m relay, with Croydon finishing 5th overall.