'Fearless' Crawley aim for second win

Crawley are aiming to prove that their excellent start to their British Athletics League campaign was no fluke as they head for the second round in Bournemouth this weekend.

Manager Chris Minn oversaw a fine victory for the men's team in the opening match in Abingdon, their first win for nearly four years.

The most impressive performances for Crawley in the first round came in the relays, with the 4x100m taking second and the 4x400m team securing a first-ever victory in the event.

The one-lap quartet of Craig Cox, Nick Duggan, junior decathlete Seb Rogers and Matt Sinclair remain unbeaten in all competitions this season, and club captain Cox said victory in Abingdon has done wonders for team morale.

"Winning that first match created such a buzz amongst the team [because] it is not often you get to be part of such a successful team filled with talent and camaraderie," he said.

"With an average age of just 21, this team has a fearless quality about it and after recording a victory the lads are hungry for more.

"Credit has to go to Chris Minn who has worked hard to put this team together and make it work and the best way to repay him will be with a league title."

With some key athletes coming into the side and others finding form at exactly the right time, Crawley should take an even stronger team to Bournemouth.

But Derby, Cambridge and Southampton all made promising starts and will provide a challenge at the top.

Crawley welcome back middle distance runner Joel Kidger in the 1500 metres after finding the sort of form that took him all the way to the Commonwealth Games.

The pole vault will feature veteran record holder Nick Buckfield teaming up with his young protégé Andy Marsh, both capable of taking maximum points in the event.

After running one of his best times in the last match, Joel Clewett will be looking to continue his improvement in the 3,000m steeplechase. El-Houssine Azzaoui and Luke Sargeant go in the 200m, both on the back of impressive performances, while Matt Sinclair will look to continue his excellent form in the 400m.