ASHFORD AC’s Rachel Hanagan took a terrific gold in the Kent Combined championships at Erith winning the under-17 heptathlon in commanding style.

Rachel finished with 3,905 points – 151 clear of nearest rival Jodie Shaw of Medway and Maidstone.

They traded victories throughout, Jodie edging the 80m hurdles in the opening event with 12,3 to Rachel’s 12.9 but Rachel went ahead after the high jump with 1.49m.

Jodie closed to within 15 points winning the shot but Rachel’s decisive 25.9 in the 200m opened up a 196-point lead.

Shaw responded by winning the long jump and javelin to lead by 17 points going into the final event the 800m where Rachel’s superior speed with a 2.29.5 win saw her claim the gold.

Team-mate Eleanor Campbell just missed out on the silver finishing fourth with 3,254 points.

In the County U13 championships Sophie Hamlyn claimed silver in the high jump with 1.38m with team-mate Hester Hill fourth with 1.30m.

Elizabeth Highwood won bronze in the long jump with 4.09m with Lauren Bamford fourth with 4.09 as well on a countback and Katherine Buckley 11th on 3.71m.

There was also a fine silver for Max Nicholls in the 1500m with 4:50.1 denied only by a championship best of 4:43.1 by M&M’s James West.