Dartmouth Amateur Athletic Club recently travelled to Torquay with a team of 21 junior athletes to compete against Torbay AC, Newton Abbot and South Devon AC for the Pearson Cup, an annual event hosted by each club in turn.

This year it was the turn of South Devon, but with their facilities being out of commission it was held at Torre Valley North. Attendances were a bit down on normal because the Devon Youth Games were being held on the same day.

It was a baking hot sunny day, with not even the slightest of breezes, which made it even harder for the 100 or so children trying to get their hands on the coveted cup, which is split into six sections, U10, U11 and U13 for both boys and girls.

Clubs can enter as many athletes as they like into each event, but it is only the best two that score and they can only enter three events each.

The day started well, with Dartmouth winning three out of the first five scoring events, with Ellie Crane (U11G) and Tom Squire (U11B) winning the high jump with Iona Hughes (U11G) coming third, followed by Jonas Brewer (U10B) winning the long jump, all setting personal bests.

Things carried on well in the sprint finals, where surprise package Jack Darburn (U11B) beat off Miles Jones (third) to take first place in the 75M, as did Ellie Crane in the girls event.

All the DAAC athletes, bar one, that made the finals set personal bests. At this stage of the competition the running scores were announced and a great cheer went up as Dartmouth were announced in first place, 20 points ahead of Torbay in second.

As the afternoon progressed, Torbay started to eat into Dartmouth's lead, despite Ellie Crane winning her third event of the day in the U11 girls long jump, with Alice Wall second.

The U11 boys mirrored this result in their long jump, with Miles Jones winning and Jack Darburn second, all of them setting personal bests.

By the time Georgia Smith (U13G) had claimed gold in the high jump, Torbay had moved into a 12-point lead, but the Dartmouth youngsters dug deep in the 600m with Jonas Brewer, Jack Darburn and Olivia Squire (U13G) all claiming bronze.

Olivia's brother Tom ran the race of his life, after 300M he had taken the lead and kicked on so quickly that as he crossed the winning line, the second athlete was only just coming into the finishing straight.

Tom then ran straight off to the vortex throw were he and Miles Jones kept up the pressure by claiming their third medal each, finishing second and first respectively.

It was now time for the final two field events of the day, long jump for both U13 boys and girls and unfortunately Dartmouth failing to secure a medal.

Dartmouth didn't have enough athletes to raise a team in either the under 10 boys or girls relays, where Torbay claimed a first and a third, putting Dartmouth further behind, but they did fight back to take gold in both U11 races.

So to the final two races of the day for the U13s, with no one quite knowing the scores, it was very tense.

The girls went first and it was neck and neck all the way, but Torbay just edged out Dartmouth for first and second. In the boys event it was a similar story, but this time the host club deservedly won the final event.

Other than those already mentioned, the presentations saw a silver for Abbi Leas and bronze for Alice Wall in the U11G vortex throw and silver for Olivia Squire and bronze for Maddy Crosley in the U13G shot putt.

In total Dartmouth received 12 golds, six silvers and eight bronze medals, as well as Ellie Crane being awarded a trophy for best U11 girl and Tom Squire best U11 boy.

Then the final result was announced in reverse order: fourth South Devon 193, third Newton Abbot 211, then there was a nervous hush before Dartmouth were announced as coming second, scoring 263 and Torbay first with 288pts.

A lot of credit must go to coaches Laura, Steve, Chris, Robin and Dick for their continued time and effort and to the parents for their support, but mostly to the youngsters for their enthusiasm, effort and countless PBs which see the club improve year on year. The day was rounded off in perfect style when Ellie Crane and Tom Squire were awarded a trophy each for best boy and girl.

Next year's event is to be hosted by Torbay, so Dartmouth will be trying to seek revenge and take the cup and hopefully defend it when they host the event in 2015.

Anyone who fancies becoming a coach, to help us reduce our huge junior waiting list, or helping out with the popular regatta road race, please call Dick on 07779 763353.