Perrio upstages the touring Aussies

LOUISE PERRIO is long out of her junior days, but it was the island's county champion cross-country star who upstaged the youngsters at Footes Lane yesterday.

A track and field meet fundamentally for the GIAAC junior ranks to coincide with the now almost annual visit of Neville Sillitoe's Australian junior squad from Victoria, included a number of senior events and it was over 3,000 metres that Perrio clipped nearly five seconds off her island record to set a new best of 9-43.8.

She had Ben Wilen to lead her round throughout and the two were still together at the bell before Wilen edged clear on the final lap to win in 9-40.5, a fraction inside his best for the distance.

Will Bodkin also had a good day in the closing 1,500m with a new best of 4-07.30 after he sat on Michael Batiste's shoulder for much of the race before taking over the lead with 650m remaining.