A round-up of the action at the fourth and final BAL match in the 2014 league

Host club City of Manchester (Sale) won the BAL Premiership title in style on Saturday with a resounding victory over Shaftesbury Barnet in a sunny yet blustery Sportcity, reports Steve Green.

Manchester were helped by victories from Niall Brooks in the 1500m as he ran 3:48. Jack Crabtree also returned a best of 8:12 in the 3000m.

Brooks, in taking the metric mile, reversed the positions after a loss to Anthony Whiteman earlier in the 800m. Whiteman, following on from his recent world M40 record, winning with an impressive 1:50.09 clocking.

The key to Manchester’s success were the ‘back-up’ victories in the B races from performers such as Clovis Asong, who took the 400m in an impressive 47.07, and Nick Samuels in the 1500m.

In the field, Alex Smith was outstanding for the hosts with a 70m-plus hammer throw. Ben Williams impressed with a 15.64m triple jump victory.

Ojie Edoburun edged Rory Evans in the 100m with a 10.30 personal best, his time putting him top of the UK under-20 rankings this season. Evans later returned to record a 20.88 in a non-scoring 200m.

Newham and Essex Beagles also had their top men out and Chris Clarke looked superb in winning the 200m with a 20.50 return.

Zurich-bound relay man Rabah Yousif displayed his club loyalty with a standout 45.77 400m win over Jarod Dunn. Yousif later turned out a superb relay leg as part of the Newham 4x400m team which finished second behind Enfield and Haringey.

The heroics of Yousif, Clarke and others helped Newham stave off the threat of relegation. City of Liverpool and Cardiff will be dropping down from the top flight this year.

Full results can be found here while a more in-depth report by Steve Green will be included in the August 14 edition of AW

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